Mosey Louis was left behind to reap the honours ; he sat in a circle of admiring lads and gave all the details of the rescue . `` Dat Leon , he not tink he know so much now ! '' he said . Braithwaite came to the shore next day somewhat pale and shaky . He went straight to Benjamin and held out his hand . `` Thank you , '' he said simply . Benjamin bent lower over his work . `` You need n't thank me , '' he said gruffly . `` I wanted to let you drown . But I went out for Mary Stella 's sake . Tell me one thing -- I could n't bring myself to ask it of anyone else . When are you to be -- married ? '' `` The 12th of September . '' Benjamin did not wince . He turned away and looked out across the sea for a few moments . The last agony of his great renunciation was upon him . Then he turned and held out his hand . `` For her sake , '' he said earnestly . Frank Braithwaite put his slender white hand into the fisherman 's hard brown palm . There were tears in both men 's eyes .
They parted XXXXX silence .
Louis Stella across for in into of over to upon