“Not just yet, my boy. We have much to say to each other, nor is she in this hotel. To-morrow, when both are better prepared, you shall meet.”
“Add, never to separate, sir, and I will be patient as a lamb.”
“Never to separate, I believe it will be better to say.”
I hugged my venerable guardian, and found a delicious relief from a most oppressive burden of sensations, in a flow of tears,
Dr. Etherington soon led me into a calmer tone of mind. In the course of the day, many matters were discussed and settled. I was told that Captain Poke had been a good nurse, though in a sealing fashion; and that the least I could do was to send him back to Stunin’tun, free of cost. This was agreed to, and the worthy but dogmatical mariner was promised the means of fitting out a new “Debby and Dolly.”
“These philosophers had better be presented to some academy,” observed the doctor, smiling, as he pointed to the family of amiable strangers, “being already F. U. D. G. E.’s and H. O. A. X.’s. Mr. Reasono, in particular, is unfit for ordinary society.”
“Do with them as you please, my more than father. Let the poor animals, however, be kept from physical suffering.”
“Attention shall be paid to all their wants, both physical and moral.”
“And in a day or two, we shall proceed to the rectory?”
“The day after to-morrow, if you have strength.”