“Good-night, deary; and the Lord give you all you want.”
Phronsie went back to stay with Grandpapa on deck. It was a beautiful night, and he wanted nothing so much as to pace up and down proudly with her on his arm. “It passes my mind where Joel is,” he said after a little pause. “He’s not in his stateroom; I went there after dinner. Sly dog! I suppose he’s working off his seasickness somewhere, and hopes to keep it from us. But we’ll take the wind out of Master Joel’s sails—eh, Phronsie;” and he chuckled at the delight in prospect over laughing at Joel’s boast that he’d never been seasick in his life, “and nothing can make me seasick, sir!”
“Bless the Lord, Phronsie,” he lifted his sea-cap reverently, “we’re almost there.”
“And now, child, I can’t say how thankful I am we’re nearly across. It’s been the longest voyage; can’t help but be, when one is anxious to have it over. But bless the Lord, Phronsie,” he lifted his sea-cap reverently and looked out into the beautiful night, “we’re almost there. And, my child,” here he pressed Phronsie’s arm tenderly, “I can’t tell you how I feel, to see you bearing with the old man all these days, after what I’ve caused you. Oh, I can’t, Phronsie!” His voice broke, and Phronsie could feel the thrill that went all over him.
“Grandpapa,” she begged, and made him look into her face. “Why, how can you,” she cried brightly, “when we’re almost there? And you’ve borne up so well, Grandpapa dear.”
“To be sure—to be sure!” exclaimed the old gentleman, pulling up his stately figure to its greatest height; “well, where do you suppose that rascal Joel is?”
It was a good two hours after when Grandpapa said, “Good-night, dear,” and kissed her. Phronsie threw on her steamer-cloak, and sat down in her stateroom to wait for—she knew not what. But she must see Joel some way.
“I cannot ring for the steward, for Grandpapa will then hear me in the next room. O Joey, Joey! But I know he’s not sick,” went on Phronsie to herself—“by the way, he looked as if he didn’t want me to question him.”
Suddenly there came a little knock, and in an instant Joel was in the stateroom. Phronsie started to her feet, and took his hands.