"He is wondering what we are all doing, and in fancy, he sees each one of us, and can read our hearts as well. It troubles him that every minute is putting a farther distance between him and us, but he has no fear that separation will weaken our love for him. He knows, indeed, that we shall only love him more, and strive to show that we do. And as he remembers this, the sorrowful expression leaves his face, and raising his eyes, he whispers softly, 'God bless and keep them all!'"
In imagination Dora saw her father standing on the deck of a ship. Around him was a wide vast expanse of ocean, and the silent silvery stars looked calmly down from the deep blue sky above. So distinct was the vision that she seemed to hear the throb of the engine, and the rush of water as the vessel ploughed her rapid way through the sea.
And thus it was she did not perceive that tears were running down Robert's cheeks, nor that he had great difficulty in choking down his sobs. She only knew that a moment after she ceased speaking, he left the room.
And then accompanying the words, "Now I really must get this finished," with a little shake of her body, as if to detach herself from the scene she had conjured up, she once more concentrated her thoughts on the time-table before her.
[CHAPTER IV.]
GILES PROVES HIMSELF A MANLY BOY.
BY some means or other the children knew before breakfast next morning that Dora would be their teacher as soon as the holidays were over.
But the news did not give the satisfaction she expected.