When we started away Hester put on her wraps and walked with us to the cab. As we alighted at our own door I saw a man standing by the street lamp on the corner, some distance away, whom I recognized as Mr. Murmurtot. I found a letter from Mr. Earl awaiting me at home, in which he urged us to hasten back to England as soon as possible after my recovery.
“You and Rayel,” he said, “will, I trust, make your home at my house.”
Next day we began our preparations for the voyage.
CHAPTER XIII
It was on a bleak and windy night in December that we were driven through a pelting rain to one of the docks on the North River, which our steamer was to leave at high tide in the early morning. When we alighted Mr. Murmurtot stood shivering in a greatcoat and muffler close by the passengers' entrance.
“This is a good place for a warm greeting,” said he, taking Hester's hand. “I've stood here so long that my teeth are chattering from the cold.”
“Won't you come aboard with us?” I asked.
“Not yet,” he replied; “but I expect to sail with you in the morning.”
“'Sa rough night, sir,” said the porter who carried our luggage, “but we'll find it a bit rougher outside, I'm feered, afore anither night.”