After a time I said:—
"You know I would give half of my money not to have it so, but it's no use talking. They wouldn't take a cent from me."
Sarah sighed. "But couldn't you get Will a place somewhere without his knowing about how it came?"
"I'll try my best," I said sadly.
Then it was time to leave the steamer; the girls came and kissed me good-by, hanging about my neck and making me promise to write and to come over for them later. Sarah raised her veil as I leaned down to kiss her.
"Good-by, Van," she said without much spirit. "Be careful of yourself and come over if you can get away."
Of late years, especially since the boy's death, Sarah seemed to have lost her interest in things pretty much.