There was a pause again.
"But He sometimes takes the boat into the breakers," Mr.
Dinwiddie said.
"Yes," I said. "I know it."
"What then, Daisy, my friend?"
"What then, Mr. Dinwiddie?" I said, looking up at him. "Then she must be broken to pieces."
"And what then? Can you trust the Pilot still?"
His great eyes were flashing and glittering as he looked at me. No careless nor aimless thought had caused such an interrogatory, I knew. I met the eyes which seemed to be blazing and melting at once, but I answered only by the look.
"You may," he went on, without taking his eyes from mine. "You may trust safely. Even if the vessel is shaken and broken, trust even then, when all seems gone. There shall be smooth waters yet; and a better voyage than if you had gone a less wearisome way."
"Why do you say all this to me, Mr. Dinwiddie?"
"Not because I am a prophet," he said, looking away now, - "for I am none. And if I saw such trials ahead for you, I should have hardly courage to utter them. I asked, to comfort myself; that I might know of a certainty that you are safe, whatever comes."