"Not exactly," with a droll twinkle of the eye.
"We heard"—
"Yes, the brave little 'Argemone' went down, and she was a beauty. But such a frightful storm! You can form no idea of it. Some day I'll tell you all. Our time is too precious for the long story now."
"And you wouldn't get in the boat," said Granny, her pale washed-out eyes alight with pride.
"There were three young fellows of us besides the sick captain, and we had no wives nor babies; so it seemed right that we should give the others the first chance. It was a miracle that they were saved. I never thought they would be. We lashed ourselves to some timbers, and trusted the winds and waves. What those days and nights were I can never tell you! I know now what that brave old soldier and sailor, St. Paul, meant when he said, 'A day and a night have I been in the deep.'"
Hal gave the sun-browned hand a tender squeeze.
"An Arabian trading vessel picked us up at last. We thought Jack was dead, but after a long while he revived. We were all perfectly exhausted. I could send no word, and then I resolved to come home just as soon as I could. I fancied you would hear of the loss. Did that make Granny ill?"
"No, she was sick before."
"But I'll get well now," she rejoined humbly. "I didn't want to, you know. Heaven seemed so much better."
Joe bent over and kissed her, wondering if he ever could repay the tender love.