You see, my dears, that although I am still young--or Mr.Bayham Badger pays me the compliment of saying so--" "No," Mr.Badger called out like some one contradicting at a public meeting.

"Not at all!" "Very well," smiled Mrs.Badger, "we will say still young." "Undoubtedly," said Mr.Badger.
"My dears, though still young, I have had many opportunities of observing young men.

There were many such on board the dear old Crippler, I assure you.

After that, when I was with Captain Swosser in the Mediterranean, I embraced every opportunity of knowing and befriending the midshipmen under Captain Swosser's command.

YOU never heard them called the young gentlemen, my dears, and probably would not understand allusions to their pipe-claying their weekly accounts, but it is otherwise with me, for blue water has been a second home to me, and I have been quite a sailor.