There's something about her--I wonder if father ever knew her
before? He seems friendly with her, don't you think?"
"Oh, he's friendly with everybody; it's his business to be. And, of
course, she is an important personage. But she kept me talking about
Brookline, to-day--you remember the pretty place just out from Boston
don't you?--and it seemed odd she should care about it. And did you
notice, yesterday, whenever we spoke of--"
"Yes, I did. You can't mention America but she wakes up. Other times
she doesn't even seem to hear. Perhaps she has been there, after all."
"Possibly. I wonder what she is going out to India for?"
"Oh, to join her husband, probably. That's what all the ladies go for,
isn't it?"
A tap at the door and their father's voice.
"Asleep, girlies?"
"Oh no, papa," cried Hope, throwing the door open. "We are up yet, and
as wide awake as hawks."
"All right! Get into your ulsters, and come up to the pilot-house.
There's a fresh breeze springing up from N.N.E. that will send us
spinning on our way, when we can catch it. As soon as we get a good
offing, you'll see as pretty a sight as you need ever expect to--the
old 'International' under full canvas making her eighteen knots an hour
for Gibraltar--lively now!"
In a moment they were beside him, hastening to the elevated turret,
with its outlook in every direction, and presently the girls were
enchanted to watch the lively rattling of ropes and shrouds, the rapid
unfurling of the great sails, that snapped to place as if clapping
giant hands in joy.
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