At last the morning came when the steamer started for Smyrna, and the pair were for once in a way agreed. They had been breakfasting with Lawrence, noting his looks, his appetite, listening to every word, and at last, when he rose feebly, and went out into the verandah to gaze down at the busy crowd of mingled European and Eastern people, whose dress and habits seemed never tiring to the lad, the lawyer turned to the professor and exclaimed:
“You did not say a word to him about sailing to-day.”
“No. Neither did you.”
“Well, why didn’t you?”
“Because I thought that it seemed useless, and that we had better stay.”
“Well, I don’t often agree with you, professor, but I must say that I do to-day. The boy is not equal to it. But he is better.”
“Ye–es,” said the professor. “I think he is better.”
Just then Lawrence returned from the verandah, looking flushed and excited.
“Why, the Smyrna boat sails to-day, Mr Preston,” he exclaimed. “One of the waiters has just told me. Hadn’t we better get ready at once?”
“Get ready?” said the professor kindly. “We thought that perhaps we had better wait for the next boat.”