He pushed off, the sail filled and the Minerva began to drop down the river. Billy waved and called a last good-by.
“Good-by,” answered Mr. Cole. “And good luck.”
[“Good-by,”] called Roy and Dick and Chub. Only Harry was silent. But in a moment she was running along the deck toward the stern.
“Mr. Noon!” she cried. “Mr. Noon! You’ve forgotten something!”
There was an instant or two of silence and Harry thought he hadn’t heard. But he had, for presently his voice floated back to them across the water:
Good-by and good night!
And I hope as we part
That I float from your sight,
But not from your heart!
“Bravo! Bravo!” cried the artist. And “Good-by!” called the others. But there was no answer from the darkness which had swallowed the last wan gleam of the Minerva’s sail. They turned back to the sitting-room.
“I didn’t want him to go,” said Harry rebelliously.
“I trust you’ll say the same when I’m gone,” said Mr. Cole. “For I, too, must up sail and away soon.”