to Sydney for some special object now and
then was all I had required; but now I had to think about my mother
during my absence, and what she would do, and for the first time I
learned that there was no need for anxiety on that score; that my
father's private income was ample to place us beyond thought for the
future. I found, too, that our nearest neighbour had undertaken to
watch over my mother's safety, not that there was much occasion for
watchfulness, the days gliding by at our place in the most perfect
peace, but it was satisfactory to feel that there were friends near at
hand.

I was for saying _good-bye_ at the little farm, but my mother insisted
upon accompanying us to Sydney, where I noticed that in spite of her
weakness and delicate looks, she was full of energy and excitement,
talking to me of my journey, begging me to be prudent and careful, and
on no account to expose myself to danger.

"And tell your father how anxiously I am looking forward to his return,"
she said to me on the last evening together; words that seemed to give
me confidence, for they showed me how thoroughly satisfied she was that
we would bring my father back.

We were too busy making preparations to the very last for there to be
much time for sadness, till the hour when the old skipper came, and was
shown up to our room.

He came stamping and blundering up in a pair of heavy sea-boots, and
began to salute me with a rough shout, when he caught sight of my pale
delicate-looking mother, and his whole manner changed.

"Lor', I didn't know as there were a lady here," he said in a husky
whisper, and snatching off his battered Panama hat, sticking out a leg
behind, and making a bow like a school-boy. I beg your pardon for
intruding like, mum, but I only come to say that the schooner's warped
out, and that youngster here and Mr Grant must come aboard first thing
in the morning.

He sat down after a good deal of persuasion, and partook of
refreshment--liquid, and copiously. But when, on leaving, my mother
followed him to the door, and I saw her try to make him a present, he
shook his head sturdily.

"No, no," he growled; "I asked my price for the trip, and the doctor
there paid me like a man. Don't you be afeared for young chap there
while he's aboard my craft. While he's with me I'll look after him as
if he was gold. I don't like boys as a rule, for they're a worrit and
wants so much kicking before you can make 'em work, but I've