When at last he did arrive at Liverpool, he found himself a stone or two the lighter, and would have been pronounced by Captain Barclay to have been in excellent training.
Newton had written to his father, acquainting him with his impressment; but was doubtful whether the letter had ever been received, as it had been confided to the care of one of the women who left the frigate the evening previous to her sailing.

When he arrived at the house he perceived his father at his bench as usual, but doing nothing, and the shop windows were bare.
Newton entered, and his father looked up.
"Why, Newton, my dear boy, is it you ?" cried Nicholas; "what a long while you have been away! Well, how is Mr Hilton ?--and how is your poor mother ?" "My dear father," replied Newton, taking his hand, "did not you receive my letter ?" "No, I received no letter.

What a time you have been away; I declare it must be two or three months, or more." "It is nearly twelve months, my dear father: I was pressed at Bristol, have been on board of a man-of-war, and have just escaped from a French prison." Newton then entered into a narrative of his adventures, to the astonishment of Nicholas, who heard him with open mouth.
"Dear me! so you've been in a man-of-war, and in France; then you don't know how your poor mother is ?" "Have you not inquired, my dear father ?" "No, I thought you would come home, and tell me all about it," replied Nicholas, with a sigh.
"How have you got on here ?" said Newton, to change the conversation.
"Very bad indeed, Newton,--very bad indeed; I have not had six jobs since you left me." "I am sorry to hear it, father; have you anything to eat in the house, for I am very hungry ?" "I am afraid not much," replied Nicholas, going to the cupboard, and producing some bread and cheese.

"Can you eat bread and cheese, my dear boy ?" "I could eat a horse, my dear father," replied Newton, who had walked the last twelve hours without sustenance.
Newton attacked the provender, which soon disappeared.
"I have been obliged to sell most of the shop furniture," said Nicholas, observing Newton to cast his eyes at the empty window.

"I could not help it.