“I thought I was sorry as well as glad,” I said, after a pause. “I am now very glad. When do you go?”

“As soon as we can make all the arrangements,” said Mr John.

“But you cannot journey in a waggon by yourselves.”

“We cannot?”

“No, sir; you must join a party—quite a caravan.”

“That is what Dan said in the letter, dear,” said Mrs John.

“Of course. My head is in such a whirl. I had forgotten—but you, Mayne, you talk as if you understand all this.”

“I have beard, sir,” I said, colouring a little; “that is all.”

“But you, my boy?—we can’t go and leave you in distress, and without an engagement.”

He whispered something to her.