Then Mrs. Butler came in, and a quarter of an hour later Tom was wending his way back to Wylmington.
The following Sunday was his last in Wallaroo, and the little church was packed to hear his last sermon, and quite a number of people waited outside the church to shake him by the hand and bid him Godspeed, a send-off he much preferred to the social evening which it had been proposed to give him in the previous week, but which his many engagements had forced him to decline.
"Uncle Tom," said Jack, thrusting his hand into Tom's as they walked home together, "you will come back, won't you, as everyone's so sorry you're going away?"
"I don't suppose I shall come back as your clergyman, Jack, but I shall certainly come back before I go to England, in fact whenever a chance presents itself."
"But Eva and I won't watch for you on Saturday afternoons?"
"No, I'm afraid you won't, but some day, when you least expect me, I shall come popping in by the coach, or on my feet."
"And you'll come when I'm confirmed same as Jessie?" said Jack.
Tom smiled to himself, well pleased that Jessie's confirmation had made so deep an impression upon the little boy.
"I don't know even if I shall be in the colony then, but if I'm anywhere within reach I'll come when you are confirmed," said Tom.
"Aunt Betty," said Jack, as Betty tucked him into bed that night, "you need not cry any more, Uncle Tom will come back some day."