“It seems like a long parting, just because I am going a long way,” said she, trying to laugh. “But if we all go to the same place, and there are meadows and cows, and the same sort of life we have been accustomed to, there is little to mind in going, except Mr. Jackson, to be sure, and grandfather, and—and——”
“Where is father?” asked Frank, distressed at her sobs; “surely he is not gone out just now?”
Ellen ran to the door to look about for him, and saw her father leaning against the wall.
“Where’s your money?” he asked. “You[“You] had need take care of money when you have got it. All the rest is moonshine, to my thinking.”
“There is very bright sunshine where we are going, if they all say true,” said Ellen; “and that you will find, father, before a year is over. You may trust Frank and Mr. Jackson, I am sure; and so——”
“I trust nobody. I have had enough of trusting people,” cried Castle. “All this is your doing, remember, both of you; so never cast it up to me. Go, go. ’Tis getting very late. Where’s your money, I ask you, child?”
“Safe, father, sewed into my stays. But, father, what can happen to us so bad as living here, as—as—we have done lately?”
“Go, children, go, and leave off talking about our meeting again at the other side of the world. If I go to the bottom half-way, Ellen, it will be none the worse for you, but the better, except that Frank must go too, and you would not like that so well.”
“O father——!”
“Well, one kiss more; and God bless you, whatever becomes of me!”