“There, there, father!” came soothingly from the lips of Inza’s bearded brother. “I did not mean to reawaken your fears. It’s all right. I can do better in Australia than in this country, and——”
“But I am an old man, and I should have my only son near me. It is hard to be unjustly separated from him.”
“Frank has agreed to make the journey to Fardale with us,” said Inza. “I invited him.”
“I’m glad he is going along,” murmured the sick man.
“And so am I,” nodded Walter. “We’ll have an opportunity to talk over the old days at the academy. It’ll be good to have a boyhood friend to chat with. I’ve often thought of those days and wondered what had become of Frank Merriwell, who was the leader in every honest sport at the academy.”
“If I can stand it to travel so far,” came wearily from Mr. Burrage. “It was folly for me to leave the old home and wander over the world in search of health. The search has been vain, and I’m going back to die!”
“To get well, you mean,” put in Merry cheerfully. “The atmosphere of the old home will give you new life and courage.”
“Do you think so?” eagerly asked Mr. Burrage.
“Of course it will! Why shouldn’t it? Your old friends will be glad to see you again.”
“That’s true. I believe you are right. The thought of it buoys me up.”