"Was it really so well done, professor?" asked Ishmael simply.
"Well done, my boy? Oh, but my heart is full! Was it well done? Ah! my boy, you will never know how well done, until the day when the Lord shall judge the quick and the dead!"
"Ah, if your poor young mother were living to see her boy now!" cried the professor, with emotion.
"Don't you suppose mother does live, and does see me, professor? I do," answered Ishmael, in a sweet, grave tone that sounded like Nora's own voice.
"Yes, I do! I believe she does live and watch over you, my boy."
Meanwhile Mrs. Middleton, who had been engaged in receiving and rejoicing over the two rescued youths, and soothing and composing their agitated spirits, now came forward to speak to Ishmael.
"My boy," she said, in a voice shaking with emotion, "my brave, good boy! I cannot thank you in set words; they would be too poor and weak to tell you what I feel, what we must all ever feel towards you, for what you have done to-night. But we will find some better means to prove how much we thank, how highly we esteem you."
Ishmael held down his head, and blushed as deeply as if he had been detected in some mean act and reproached for it.
"You should look up and reply to the madam!" whispered the professor.
Ishmael raised his head and answered: