“Ay, aunt. But duty is the first thought with a true man like Captain Calderwood. And he has all the resources that strength and patience and skill and courage can give to a man, and I cannot but hope that he’ll come safe home yet.”
“He is in God’s hands,” said Miss Jean.
“Ay, is he. And God bless him wherever he is,” said George with a break in his voice.
Jean had sat in silence, turning her eyes from one to the other as each had spoken.
“Have you told his mother?” said Miss Jean.
“Yes, she has heard all. It seems two of the sailors have reported themselves to the owners in London, and she thinks she must see them, though I fear it will do little good.”
“It will give her something to do anyway,” said Miss Jean. “But she is quite worn out with anxiety, though she has said so little about it, and I doubt she ought not to go alone.”
“No, I shall go with her,” said George. “It would make Marion miserable to think of her mother with her sore heart solitary in London. We need not stay long.”
“And after a day or two she will think of her daughter’s need of her, and come home. If only the suspense were over one way or another—”
“No, aunt, don’t say that. We have hope yet—strong hope of seeing him again. If you only heard the tales I hear on the pier about the wonderful escapes that skill and courage have won. Hope! Yes, I have hope.”