I will look after you like a godfather until you get work. Come, what do you say?’
“‘I accept your kindness. But, oh! how shall I ever be able to express my thanks?’
“‘By holding your tongue, and getting ready to sail, my boy. You said your doctor recommended change of scene for the girl, didn’t you?’
“‘Oh, yes! yes! But how was I to provide it for her, even though her life or reason might depend on her having it?’
“‘Exactly. But now you see it is provided for her. Hurry back to her, Wyvil. By the way, here. You must not dream of tramping back to Carlisle. Take this five-pound note. Pshaw! Nonsense! I am not offering to give it to you, man, but to lend it. There, hurry back to your sister, and fetch her down. I’ll warrant her spirits will improve in a week.’
“Joseph Wyvil would have thanked this warm-hearted and generous friend and benefactor, but found no words, no voice to express himself.
“He took the first train back to Stockton, and returned to the poor lodgings where he had left Lil.
“He found her much worse than he had left her—paler, thinner, weaker and more melancholy.
“When he told her of the prospect opened for them by this free passage to America, her first words were those of disappointment.
“‘I thought we were to go out to Australia to join poor Joe.’