tone, about which he had not something to say which was well worth
hearing. Charles called them "Father's peripatetic lectures." This
morning, however, the Doctor was unusually silent. His daughter Anna
walked by his side, affectionately waiting, in the hopes of an
opportunity to bring forward some subject to enliven him. Charles also
accompanied him. The rest of the children kept behind, wondering where
he was going; Willie especially sauntering at some distance, and
thinking that he would rather have been out by himself or with some of
the boys with whom he had lately associated. Charles, finding that his
father was not inclined to give one of his lectures, bethought him of a
subject likely to interest him.

"I say, father, I wonder when Frank will be here. His ship was expected
at Plymouth every day. I sent a letter for him to Fox, giving him full
directions how he was to find his way here, so that if he could get
leave he might come up at once. My only fear is that he may not have
any cash for his journey. I begged Fox to advance it, but Frank may not
think of asking him. He'll have a great deal to tell us about the
Pacific and the coral islands, the Sandwich Islanders, and the other
natives, once horrible savages, now mostly Christians. And those people
of Fiji--the Black Cannibals of the Pacific as they were called--I want
to know if they are as bad as has been represented."

"Yes, your brother Frank will have much to say," remarked the Doctor,
and again relapsed into silence.

"I hope he may bring Tom Holman with him. I should like to see the man
who saved his life, that I might thank him as he deserves for his
bravery," said Anna. "Dear Frank, if it had not been for Holman we
might never have seen him again."

"Yes, indeed, I should like to see Holman, the fine and gallant fellow,"
exclaimed Charles. "The puzzle will be how to get him here. I know
that seamen have difficulty in obtaining leave till their ship is paid
off, and then there is the expense of the journey. However, I will do
my best to manage that."

"And I will help you," said Anna. "I will sell some of my fowls, and
the egg money of last year, which I have never spent, and old Mrs
Taffety's present, which mamma says I have a right to do just what I
like with. Oh, there will be no difficulty about money matters if Frank
can get leave for Tom Holman. It will be very nice to see him and to
thank him, though it will be difficult