Jack's face was ashen, and his stalwart frame trembled as he approached the chair in which the invalid reclined. Dick's eyes shone with some of their old intelligence when he saw his former enemy, and his hands were held out in eager welcome. It almost seemed as if he looked upon Jack, not as an enemy to be pardoned, but as an old comrade with whom there had been a grievous misunderstanding.
'I wonder if he remembers there is anything to forgive?' thought Estelle, as she watched him.
Jack took the hands held out to him. He could barely mutter the word—'Forgive!'
'As I hope to be forgiven!' came in clear, steady tones, such as Dick had not been known to utter since his misfortune. There was a long silence. Estelle's eyes were full of tears. Jack, his head raised, was looking at Dick. But Dick's face was radiant with a joy that was not of this earth. His great desire had been granted. He was lying back, still clasping the hand of his enemy, but with his eyes on the blue sky he could see above the trees. Presently, as no one moved, he looked again at Jack, murmuring in his usual half-inarticulate way, but with a smile which meant a great deal to the sailor, 'My friend!'
'To the end of my life, if you will let me!' answered Jack, fervently. 'Thank Heaven you are alive! But that you can treat me so, receive me as a friend, after—— '
'Have waited—hoped—thankful!'
'What can I do for you? Let me do something!'
'You have come! All—clear—now!'
He began to look so faint that Estelle said hastily: 'We will come and see you again, Dick. You must rest now.'
'Come—again!' repeated Dick, his eyes appealing to Jack.