But Patty only smiled at him, and they both knew that neither had reason to doubt the other in any way.
The party went off gaily. But though no hint was dropped, somehow there was a feeling in the air as of a farewell occasion, and Patty felt a vague unrest.
But it was the next day before she learned the truth.
In the morning Farnsworth came to the Barrett house and the moment Patty saw him, she knew he had come to say good-bye.
With a white face and trembling lips she met him at the door.
“Come for a walk, will you, dear?” Farnsworth said gently.
She ran for her wraps, and soon they were off by themselves. Unheeding the people in the streets, they wandered far off toward the less crowded areas, and after a time Farnsworth told her that he was to sail that night.
“It’s all right,” said Patty, bravely struggling to keep back her tears. “I’ll be good,—I won’t make it harder for you by weeping and wailing and gnashing my teeth,—but, oh, my Little Billee,—I think I shall die!”
“Really, Patty! Do you really care like that?”
“Oh, I do! I do! I didn’t know it myself till just this minute! Captain, my Captain, I can’t part from you.”