Solomon Fewster first rubbed his hands and then his chin.
"No need to say good-by," he said, with a conscious look at Ellen; "I am going with you."
They were too much astonished to reply.
"Yes," he continued; "when my best friends were going, I didn't like the idea of stopping behind. So I've sold my business upon capital terms--capital terms. A good sum down, and a share in the profits for the next ten years. Shall be able to make plenty of money in Australia, eh, Mr. Meddler?"
"No doubt, no doubt," said the Old Sailor, with a disturbed look.
Solomon Fewster, divining that his absence would be agreeable to them, hurried away to look after his boxes.
"I am sorry he's going," said Dan; "but it can't be helped. We must make the best of every thing not the worst."
In the tender conversation that ensued, consequent upon their parting from the Old Sailor, Solomon Fewster was forgotten.
"Write to me as often as you can," said the Old Sailor, "and I will do the same to you, though my old joints are getting stiff. You'll soon be settled down somewhere, and you can let me know. 'Tis a sad word--good-by. But I shall soon be saying good-by to all the world, my dears."
He sat among them until the last moment, and first wished Susan good-by.