Bell sighed. “You're very joco,” said she—“you're aye cheery, whatever happens.”
“So long as it doesn't happen to myself—that's philosophy; at least it's Captain Consequence's. And if I'm cheery to-day it's by the doctor's orders. He says you're to be kept from fretting even if we have to hire the band.”
“Then I doubt I'm far, far through!” said Bell. “I'm booked for a better land.” And at that the lawyer gave a chirruping little laugh, and said:
“Are you sure it's not for Brisbane?”
“What do you mean?” she asked him, marvellously interested for one who talked of dying.
“It's a new one,” he explained. “I had it to-day from her ladyship's captain. He was once on a ship that sailed to Australia, and half-way out a passenger took very ill. 'That one's booked for heaven, anyway,' Maclean said to the purser. 'No,' said the purser, who was busy; 'he's booked for Brisbane.' 'Then he would be a damned sight better in heaven,' said Maclean. 'I have been twice in Brisbane, and I know.'” Bell did her best to restrain a smile, but couldn't. “Oh, Dan!” said she, “you're an awful man! You think there's nothing in this world to daunten anybody.”
“Not if they happen to be Dyces,” said he. “A high heart and a humble head—you remember father's motto? And here you're dauntened because the young one's going only one or two hundred miles away for her own advantage.”
“I'm not a bit dauntened,” said Miss Bell, with spirit. “It's not myself I'm thinking of at all; it's her, poor thing! among strangers night and day; damp sheets, maybe, and not a wiselike thing to eat. You would never forgive yourself if she fell into a decline.”
“Ailie throve pretty well on their dieting,” he pointed out; “and if she's going to fall into a decline, she's pretty long of starting.”
“But you mind they gave her sago pudding,” said Miss Bell; “and if there's one thing Lennox cannot eat it's sago pudding. She says it is so slippy, every spoonful disappears so sudden it gives her an awful start. She says she might as well sup puddocks.” Dan smiled at the picture and forced himself to silent patience.