"One thing that comforts me is, he kissed it before he went. He held it in his arms; he had so longed for it; and then he said, as he gave it back to me, 'I don't know if I shall ever see thee again, my love; but tell the little man that his father loved him and blessed him.'"
"How was it?" asked Mrs. Elliot, thinking of the long weary illness of her own husband.
"He never came back alive, ma'am. A storm came on, and one of the spars of his boat broke, and in half-an-hour, he was—'at home,' ma'am."
"At home?" asked Mrs. Elliot. "Ah, yes, I know what you mean."
"And though this is not like home without him," said the woman, "yet I can wait; my Father has made me willing, ma'am."
Just then a sailor boy was seen hurrying up the hill. He beckoned to Mrs. Mansbridge through the lattice window, and she went out.
When she re-entered her face was very pale, and she came up gently to Mrs. Elliot.
"There has been an accident, ma'am," she said softly; "but a boat has been gone some time with the young gentleman."
"What has happened?" said Mrs. Elliot, starting towards the door.
"They were overtaken by the tide at the Caves. But take courage, dear lady; there's One above who rules all things."