CHAPTER VII.
SAD NEWS.
ear me!" exclaimed Mr. Ormond, opening his morning paper and glancing at one of the headings printed in big black letters. "Heavy loss of life at sea again; two vessels in collision, and both sunk. Why! good gracious!" he continued; "the Arcadia—that was the ship William Cole sailed on!"
There was a dropping of knives and forks all round the table, and a general exclamation of dismay.
"O father!" cried Ida. "You don't mean to say that the Arcadia is lost?"
"I'm afraid so," was the reply. "Yes; it says, 'which sailed from London on Friday, October 28th.' It must be the same boat."