"Sit down and take the news coolly, sir," he said; "there's nothing gained by putting yourself in a flurry."
"N—no, no, my boy, n—no."
"I have no time to spare, and I wish to leave you all right before I go."
"Go!"
"I am going for a day or two, very likely for a week, on a special mission for my employers—that is all that I can tell you without breaking the confidence placed in me—I must go at once."
"Bless my soul! what—what can I possibly do without you. Can't I go with you? Can't I—"
"You can do nothing but wait patiently for my return, believing that I am safe, and taking care of myself. Why, what are a few days?"
"Well, not much after all," said the father, wiping his forehead with his silk-handkerchief, "and there's no danger, of course?"
"Not any."
"And you are only going——"