When, at last, Bellew rose, his eyes were bright and eager, and his square chin, prominent, and grimly resolute.
"So—you quite understand, my Porges?"
"Yes, yes—Oh I understand!"
"Where the little bridge spans the brook,—the trees are thicker, there."
"Aye aye, Captain!"
"Then—fare thee well, Shipmate! Goodbye, my Porges,—and remember!"
So they clasped hands, very solemnly, Big Porges, and Small Porges, and turned each his appointed way, the one up, the other down, the lane. But lo! as they went Small Porges' tears were banished quite; and Bellew strode upon his way, his head held high, his shoulders squared, like one in whom Hope has been newborn.
CHAPTER XXX
How Anthea gave her promise
"And so—he—has really gone!" Miss Priscilla sighed as she spoke, and looked up from her needle-work to watch Anthea who sat biting her pen, and frowning down at the blank sheet of paper before her. "And so, he is—really—gone?"