Twice, that afternoon, did Deacon Pratt go between the cottage of the Widow White and his own dwelling.  As often did the relict fly across the way to express her wonder to the Widow Stone, at the frequency of the rich man’s visits.  The second time that he came was when he saw the whale-boat rounding the end of Shelter Island, and he perceived, by means of his glass, that Dr. Sage was in it.  At this sight the deacon hurried off to the cottage again, having something to say to Daggett that could no longer be delayed.

“The whale-boat will soon be in,” he observed, as soon as he had taken his seat, “and we shall shortly have the doctor here.  That young Gar’ner does what he has to do, always, with a jerk!  There was no such haste, but he seems to be ever in a hurry!”

“Do what is to be done at once, and then lie by, is the sailor’s rule, deacon,” rejoined the mariner.  “Squalls, and gusts, and reefin’, and brailin’ up, and haulin’ down, won’t wait for the seaman’s leisure. His work must be done at once, or it will not be done at all.  I’m not afeard of the doctor; so let him come as soon as he pleases.  Medicine can’t hurt a body, if he don’t take it.”

“There’s one thing I wish to say to you, Daggett, before Dr. Sage comes in.  Talking too much may excite you, especially talking of matters that are of interest; and you may give him a false impression of your state, should you get the pulse up, and the cheek flushed, by over-talking.”

“I understand you, deacon.  My secret is my secret, and no doctor shall get it out of me as long as I know what I say.  I’m not so friendly with them, as to seek counsel among doctors.”

“Then it’s the Lord’s day,” added the Pharisee, “and it is not seemly to dwell too much on worldly interests, on the Sabbath.”

A novice might have been surprised, after what had passed, at the exceeding coolness with which the deacon uttered this sentiment.  Daggett was not so in the least, however; for he had taken the measure of his new confidant’s conscience, and had lived long enough to know how marked was the difference between professions and practice.  Nothing, indeed, is more common than to meet with those who denounce that in others, which is of constant occurrence with themselves; and who rail at vices that are so interwoven with their own moral being, as to compose integral portions of their existence.  As for the deacon, he really thought it would be unseemly, and of evil example, for Daggett to converse with Dr. Sage, touching these doubloons, of the Lord’s day:  while he had felt no scruples himself, a short hour before, to make them the theme of a long and interesting discussion, in his own person.  It might not repay us for the trouble, to look for the salve that the worthy man applied to his own conscience, by way of reconciling the apparent contradiction; though it probably was connected with some fancied and especial duty on his part, of taking care of the sick man’s secrets.  Sickness, it is well known, forms the apology for many an error, both of omission and commission.