“Yes; and I told our mother, and she acknowledges that it would have been surprising had I not fallen in love with her; and I am sure you will think the same.”
Harry felt in much better spirits as they rode on. He had determined, however, to say nothing of May’s parentage till his sister had become better acquainted with her.
As they were approaching Downside, and had reached a part of the road between their cousins’ and the Halliburts’ cottage, the tall figure of Mad Sal was seen approaching them, waving her staff and talking wildly to herself. As she drew near she stopped, and, gazing at them, exclaimed—
“Who gave the command to bear the poor lad away over the salt sea, salt sea? Stay! answer me, I charge you!”
“What do you mean, my good dame?” asked Harry, as he at once recognised the occupant of the hut in which he and his brother had taken refuge from the storm.
“Good dame, forsooth; you call me so now, for ye have learned to respect me. I ask, was it by your orders yon lad was forced away against his will over the wide, salt sea?
“‘The lot fell on the youngest,
The youngest of the three,
That he should go a-sailing
All on the salt sea, salt sea -
That he should go a-sailing
All on the salt sea.’”
“I know of no lad having been forced to go to sea against his will,” said Harry, quietly. “Of whom do you speak? Tell me his name.”
She passed her hand over her brow, as if to collect her thoughts. She then answered in a calmer tone than before—
“He is the son of old Halliburt, the fisherman. Two of his sons have been borne away already to feed the insatiate maws of the cruel salt sea; ’tis hard that the old man should lose a third.”