Queen of Pentacles

Meaning: A reliable woman.

Depiction: Bildad's sister Charity boards the Pequod as it sits in harbor, carrying a long oil ladle, a whaling lance, and a doubloon.

Text: Chapter 20 - All Astir
Chief among those who did this fetching and carrying was Captain Bildad’s sister, a lean old lady of a most determined and indefatigable spirit, but withal very kindhearted, who seemed resolved that, if she could help it, nothing should be found wanting in the Pequod, after once fairly getting to sea. At one time she would come on board with a jar of pickles for the steward’s pantry; another time with a bunch of quills for the chief mate’s desk, where he kept his log; a third time with a roll of flannel for the small of some one’s rheumatic back. Never did any woman better deserve her name, which was Charity—Aunt Charity, as everybody called her. And like a sister of charity did this charitable Aunt Charity bustle about hither and thither, ready to turn her hand and heart to anything that promised to yield safety, comfort, and consolation to all on board a ship in which her beloved brother Bildad was concerned, and in which she herself owned a score or two of well-saved dollars.

But it was startling to see this excellent hearted Quakeress coming on board, as she did the last day, with a long oil-ladle in one hand, and a still longer whaling lance in the other.

Old Quaker woman, Civil War era. Provenance unknown. (Pinterest)

Comments:  No one appreciated Charity's jug of lukewarm ginger-water when grog was what they really needed, but I'm sure many of her other contributions came in handy.

By the way, I just had a really great idea for a fanfiction story, which I'm not going to write. Just imagine if when Ahab's secret crew was discovered, it turned out to be not Fedallah & Co., but  Charity and a hardy group of whaling widows from her Temperance League and quilting circle.  You know they could handle a harpoon, and they'd never forget the pickles.