"He told me to tell you that he and Miss Bessie would meet you in Portland on your arrival. Her mother made such a fuss about her going off in the night without her aunt, that her father decided to take the cars, for he heard in Gloucester that an excursion train would come along about twelve o'clock."
"Very well," said Levi. "I will go on shore with you and see about it. I hope your mother will get better."
"I hope so. Mr. Watson started right off in the buggy with Bessie."
"Has he gone?"
"Yes, he went right off. He was in a hurry, for he has to drive to Beverly to catch the train. You won't see him if you go on shore."
"Then I think I will not go; but I will not keep you a moment," added Levi.
"If you want another hand in my place, I can get Tom Sampson."
"We can get along very well without any more help," replied Levi, as Mat pushed off.
Levi was vexed that Mrs. Watson's timidity had deprived him of Bessie's company; but it was like her, and on their trip to the eastward, he had been obliged to be in port every night to please her. However, he would receive his passengers on board at Portland the next morning; and, in a few minutes more, the yacht tripped her anchor, and sailed out of the bay.