‘Well wife, I would trust Fanny where I wouldn’t like to an elder and more experienced head. She’s a strange girl, and beside her book knowledge, has a good idea of common things. I have great faith in her judgment, or I should never have consented for her to leave us, although she was so urgent and determined about the matter.’
‘Heaven protect her!’ ejaculated the mother, with uplifted eyes.
‘Amen,’ added the father fervently.
‘It would be a romantic story if she should succeed,’ said the mother, her countenance brightening up with fresh hope, not that there was the least reason in it save, her own thoughts.
‘Ay, as good a plot as the Bay Province ever furnished for a novel, even in the old Indian times,’ said the father.
‘It is two months since she left us,’ said the mother.
‘Yes, and before the expiration of another week, we may possibly hope to hear from her at least.’
‘She set the time for her return at three months, I remember.’
‘Which will be a short time after all,’ continued the father, ‘even had she a vessel solely at her command. But you see, she must pass some time on the island at any rate, and then whether she proves successful or otherwise, she must wait for some vessel bound to Boston from that port.
‘There are many chances against her,’ sighed the old man seriously, as he raked the coals together on the hearth.