Day had arrived, but the sun still delayed its arrival.
"It seems perfectly incredible to be awake in this place and not see the sun," said Mrs. Selwyn.
Selwyn shook his head in deep appreciation of himself. "You had my example."
The day was still in swaddling clothes; but already the men and women of Surprise were waking up. Surly fires were growing here and there. Mrs. Boulder was in time to peer from her doorway at the backs of the retreating company; Mrs. Niven stopped her discourse to Niven as she heard voices across the distance; and Messrs. Bullock and Johnson, who were outside their camps at a morning wash, stayed in the towelling of their faces to view the noble sight. It was the week for the visit of Mr. Pericles Smith, travelling schoolmaster, and his two tents stood erect and stiff by the side of the way. As the party of five marched by, a woman's voice was raised.
"Perry, aren't you very late this morning? There was not a stick of wood chopped last night."
From the other tent came answer: "In one moment, dear."
"Ah, Perry, you are not wasting time at that rubbish, already?"
But this time came only a groan and the sound of someone rising to his feet.
The harmony of excursion was nowise upset until the party had arrived within near view of the hotel, before which stood the ancient coach and the five goose-rumped horses asleep in the traces. Then Selwyn, on the flank, started back. The eyes of all turned to the doorway of the hotel. Mr. Horrington stood upon the step, stick in one hand, empty tobacco pouch in the other—perhaps a little seedy, perhaps a little depressed, because of the early hour; but firm in the intention of giving his friend bon voyage.
Selwyn's hand glided towards a pocket and there found comfort.