‘Nor will it,’ said Wal. ‘It will be far better for you to go up country than remain hanging about town.’
‘I shall have to leave Eva behind until some of Captain Manton’s friends have been communicated with. My father will probably see to that when he learns the news. I must write him a long letter by the next mail, and tell him all about the wreck and how bravely Pilot Jessop acted.’
‘Ay,’ said Wal, with a smile, ‘and if I were you I’d just send him a few papers in order to let him see how well his son behaved. That would only be fair. As for the little lass, she’s welcome to stop with us as long as she’s allowed. It will be a sore trial to my wife to part with her. You see, we have no bairn of our own,’ added Wal, with a wistful sigh.
‘She could not be in better hands,’ said Edgar. ‘I suppose,’ he asked, as a sudden idea occurred to him, ‘there is no possible chance of anyone being saved from the wreck? I mean, do you think it possible anyone could have drifted out to sea on a portion of the wreck and been picked up by a passing boat?’
‘That’s not possible, I think,’ said Wal. ‘No boat left the harbour next day, and the storm was so bad, I hardly think anyone could have lived through it out at sea.’
‘It was just a thought occurred to me,’ said Edgar. ‘I know every search has been made, but one clings to hope, even after all hope has gone.’
Wal Jessop took Edgar round Sydney, and showed him several sights. The more Edgar saw of the city, the more he marvelled at its wondrous growth. He had been taught much at school about the colonies, but he had no idea such vast cities as Sydney lay on the other side of the world. Young though he was, he saw at once how greatly such possessions as Australia must enhance the power and importance of the mother-country. He saw how widespread the influence and example of England was, and every name and building tended to revive some association with the old country.
As he sat in the Botanical Gardens with Wal Jessop, looking over the lovely expanse of harbour before them, and the hills and bays of the opposite shore, he said:
‘It is only a lad’s opinion, but I think we are not taught sufficient about our country’s great possessions abroad when we are at school.’
‘Perhaps not,’ said Wal; ‘but on this side of the world our youngsters are taught more about old England than Australia.’