“Not even if you didn’t see the sea, Harry?” asked his father, laughing.
“Oh, but that would be impossible, you know, papa!” answered Harry.
Harry was to have a longer time at Kingshaven than he imagined, and perhaps if he could have foreseen everything he would not have talked so very confidently of “never wearying.” But it is very good for all of us that just one step of our way is open before us. It helps to make us humble and trustful, looking for guidance better and higher than our own, and may often preserve us from being needlessly downcast and depressed.
Mr. and Mrs. Leslie were very glad to see all their children so well and bright and so pleased with the holiday treat they had provided for them.
“I must come down on Monday morning to the shore before going home,” Mr. Leslie said to the boys as he saw them carrying their boat, “and see the good ship Rover’s first voyage. It will be quite a sight!”
“Oh, we are all coming!” added his wife. “I assure you none of us would like to miss the spectacle; and if none of the little ones fall over the rocks, I’m sure everything will go well!”
By the time they got thoroughly settled in their new home it was getting quite late in the day, so there was only time for a saunter all along the beach and the parade and the principal streets of Kingshaven. It was with some difficulty that Harry managed to walk now; but so anxious was he to secure his grand treat on Monday that he still kept his pain to himself. Walter and he had selected one delightful
rock, stretching far out into the sea, from which to make the first launch and trial trip of the Rover. There were lots of little boys already there, and on similar rocks, sailing their tiny boats, but none of them had anything the least like the Rover.
“We’ll call it a pirate ship, Wat,” cried Harry excitedly, “and it will be grand to see it chasing the little boats all about. What a splendid thing the sea is! I wish we could stay always beside it.”
Walter agreed to all Harry said.