lliam?" she pleaded. "What will he think when he
comes back and finds you gone?"

"Tell him I have taken the advice he gave us in his sermon last Sunday.
Say I have turned my back on the world, the flesh, and the devil."

"How can you talk so, Robert! And the boys, too--you promised not to go
without bidding the boys good-by."

"That's true. I made my little nephews a promise, and I'll keep it." He
kicked off his shoes as he spoke, on the mat outside the door. "Light me
upstairs, Lizzie; I'll bid the two boys good-by without waking them."

She saw the uselessness of resisting him any longer; and, taking the
candle, went before him upstairs.

The boys--both young children--were sleeping together in the same bed.
The youngest was his uncle's favorite, and was called by his uncle's
name. He lay peacefully asleep, with a rough little toy ship hugged fast
in his arms. Kirke's eyes softened as he stole on tiptoe to the child's
side, and kissed him with the gentleness of a woman. "Poor little man!"
said the sailor, tenderly. "He is as fond of his ship as I was at his
age. I'll cut him out a better one when I come back. Will you give me my
nephew one of these days, Lizzie, and will you let me make a sailor of
him?"

"Oh, Robert, if you were only married and happy, as I am!"

"The time has gone by, my dear. I must make the best of it as I am, with
my little nephew there to help me."

He left the room. His sister's tears fell fast as she followed him into
the parlor. "There is something so forlorn and dreadful in your leaving
us like this," she said. "Shall I go to Aldborough to-morrow, Robert,
and try if I can get acquainted with her for your sake?"

"No!" he replied. "Let her be. If it's ordered that I am to see that
girl again, I _shall_ see her. Leave it to the future, and you leave
it right." He put on his shoes, and took up his hat and stick. "I won't
overwalk myself," he said, cheerfully. "If the coach doesn't overtake me
on the road, I can wait for it where I stop to breakfast. Dry your eyes,
my dear, and give me a kiss."

She was like her brother in features and complexion, and she had a touch
of her brother's spirit; she dashed away the tears, and took her leave
of him bravely.

"I shall be back in a year's time," said Kirke, falling into his old
sailor-like way at the door. "I'll bring you a China shawl, Lizzie, and
a chest of tea for your store-room. Don't let the boys forget me, and
don't think I'm doing