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so stern a battle! [*omit*] All hands down treat
him kindly but he draws himself back and
somehow wounds their pride. He, Henry, is
very sick and of course I attend in person
to his wants but he will barely answer -
sometimes not at all - my medical questions.
In short here standing on the verge of an
arctic grave, he acts the part of an abider
in streets, [and amidst] the comrade who offers
him a shirt insults him, the Commander who
advises him to "take a wash" commits an
"unwarrantable liberty". He takes or appears
to take no apprehension of time or incident
or duty. He does not know that he is clad
from head to foot in my underclothes, secretly
provided by Morton, nor will he
take a clean pair (shirt or drawers) until
nearly dropping off with dirt. He gives me
constant trouble and of late constant care.
Tom makes me have a regard for the boy
but I'm at my wits end how to practically
show it. His health declines daily and
his reserve becomes, as daily more and
more austere.

It is a comfort to one that he
has the best accomodations in the cabin
I sent Dr. Hayes to his old bunk
and gave up mine to the steward, poor
Morton. Goodfellow therefore occupies
Morton's neat little peculium and I
shift as a watchman must. These
little sacrifices, kind offerings, I have
given to this boy or man, almost more
that injustice to myself and others I had
a right to but they produce no effect on
him. On the contrary I know that he
regards me as in no wise promoting his
comforts. Such as he is I never write
about him without losing patience.[end omit]