After this duologue John was absent for a space of three hours, and they thought he had gone back to barracks. He entered, however, at the end of that time, took off his forage-cap, and wiped his forehead.
‘You look tired, John,’ said his father.
‘O no.’ He went through the house till he had found Anne Garland.
‘I have only done one of those things,’ he said to her.
‘What, already! I didn’t hope for or mean to-day.’
‘Captain Hardy is gone from Pos’ham. He left some days ago. We shall soon hear that the fleet has sailed.’
‘You have been all the way to Pos’ham on purpose? How good of you!’
‘Well, I was anxious to know myself when Bob is likely to leave. I expect now that we shall soon hear from him.’
Two days later he came again. He brought a newspaper, and what was better, a letter for Anne, franked by the first lieutenant of the Victory.
‘Then he’s aboard her,’ said Anne, as she eagerly took the letter.