Mr Trotter went up to serve the spirits out to the ship's company, and returned with a bottle of rum.
"Have you got Mr Simple's allowance, my love ?" inquired Mrs Trotter.
"Yes; he is victualled to-day, as he came on board before twelve o'clock.

Do you drink spirits, Mr Simple ?" "No, I thank you," replied I; for I remembered the captain's injunction.
"Taking, as I do, such an interest in your welfare, I must earnestly recommend you to abstain from them," said Mr Trotter.

"It is a very bad habit, and once acquired, not easy to be left off.

I am obliged to drink them, that I may not check the perspiration after working in the hold; I have, nevertheless, a natural abhorrence of them; but my champagne and claret days are gone by, and I must submit to circumstances." "My poor Trotter!" said the lady.
"Well," continued he, "it's a poor heart that never rejoiceth." He then poured out half a tumbler of rum, and filled the glass up with water.
"My love, will you taste it ?" "Now, Trotter, you know that I never touch it, except when the water is so bad that I must have the taste taken away.

How is the water to-day ?" "As usual, my dear, not drinkable." After much persuasion Mrs Trotter agreed to sip a little out of his glass.