“We can never, never thank you enough,” said Mrs Lyle, “for bringing back our boys.”
“Pooh!” said Skipper James, “my dear lady, that is nothing; don’t bother thanking me, mention me and my old ship in your prayers, when we’re on the sea.”
“That I’m sure we will never forget to do.”
Lyle and Fitzroy were walking together on the beach about a week after the wanderers’ return.
“I’ve been trying to get my boy to stay at home now altogether,” said Lyle.
“Well, and I’ve been trying mine.”
“But mine won’t; he says he was born to wander, and wander he will.”
“Just the same with mine.”
“And Leonard has given up his allowance, dear boy! He says he will work now for his living, and that the seamanship he has learned must stand as his profession. He is full of hope though, and I fear we’ll soon lose our lads again.”
“For a time—yes, for a time. Be cheerful, remember what I prophesied; all will yet be well, and if they really are born to wander nothing can prevent them.”