‘I will visit him with pleasure,’ I replied; and, closing the door, I turned to Alice Lee and said, ‘What can the captain want?’
‘Do not be nervous, dear. I will go with you if you wish, or mother shall accompany you. He intends nothing but kindness, you may be sure.’
‘I dread,’ I exclaimed, putting my hand upon my heart, ‘to be sent into another ship.’
‘No, no; he will not do that.’
‘What would become of me in another ship? I shall be without friends, and my loneliness will be the darker for the memories which I shall take away from this vessel. And what will they do with me on board another ship? Where will they take me? Wherever I arrive I shall be friendless. Oh, I hope the captain does not mean to send me away.’
‘Do not fear. It is not likely that he will send you away until your memory returns and enables you to tell him who you are and where your home is.’
I placed a rug over her knees, and sat at her side and waited. Presently Mrs. Lee entered the berth.
‘Captain Ladmore has asked me to say he is ready to see you, my dear,’ said she.
‘Will you go with Agnes, mother?’ said Alice.
‘But Captain Ladmore does not want to see me, my love,’ exclaimed her mother; then, looking from me to her daughter, the good little woman cried, ‘Oh, yes! I will go with you, Agnes. Give me your arm.’