“True, sir, true,” said Sister Leona. “We are commanded to work and pray.”
“Well, from my observations to-day before the balloon unfortunately burst, I find we are but little more than thirty miles from the sea. I mean to try to reeve the ship through into the blue water. If we drop, we shall die. True, but it is death anyhow, and perhaps Providence will sustain us.”
Teenie was looking at him with wide open eyes and parted lips.
She was too young to fear death, but she was filled with hope.
She went and threw her arms round Antonio’s neck.
“Oh, good, good ’Tonio,” she cried, “you’ll take us home, won’t you?”
“I’ll try, dearie, I’ll try.”
“Can Sister Leona and I help?” she asked.
“Ahem! Oh yes, you can. We will work, and you shall pray.
“A fair division of labour, isn’t it, Archie?”