Sybil was very much depressed. She could not rally from the effect the reading of that book had had upon her mind. She frequently repeated her fervent aspiration:
“Oh! that the ship would sail to-day!”
Lyon encouraged her as much as he possibly could, but he had his own private subject of anxiety. He had not of course told any one of his intention to go abroad. Every one believed that, having sold out his load, he would return home; but he was obliged to stay in the city until the sailing of the ship, and he wanted a fair excuse to do so.
That evening the weather changed, and the sky clouded over, and the next morning it rained, and it continued to rain for three days.
“This here will make them there roads so bad that we shan’t be able to travel for a week, even if it does clear up soon,” grumbled and growled the self-styled farmer, feeling glad all the while of an excuse to stay until the ship should sail.
“No, that you won’t,” echoed his friend the landlord, glad to retain a guest with whom he was pleased.
On the third day of the rain, the sky showing signs of clearing, Lyon Berners went over to Portsmouth to hear at what precise time the Enterprise would sail for Liverpool. When he returned he had good news for Sybil.
“The Ship will sail on Saturday! That is the day after to-morrow, dear Sybil. And we may go on board to-morrow night.”
“Oh! I am so glad!” exclaimed Sybil, clapping her hands for joy. And she began to pack up immediately.
“Moreover, I have sold my wagon and horses to a party at Portsmouth. And so we can put our luggage into it and drive off as if we were going home; but we can go down to the river instead, and take it across in the ferry-boat. Then I can have our effects put upon shipboard, and then deliver the team to its purchaser and receive the price,” added Lyon.