Sentence:  As on a journey, when the ship is lying at anchor, thou mayest land to take in water, and gather shells and the like upon the shore, but must keep the vessel still in view, and when the steersman beckons, must leave all else at once to come on board; so, too, in life's pilgrimage, if <WSD>wifelet</WSD> or little one be given thee for a while, it may be well, but see to it that thou art ready, when the pilot calls, to go at once, and turn not to look back. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  A wife.