If it is best to save us, He will do so;
if not, we will go to sleep just this way--together, and in His arms!"
"Yes," assented Hope softly, pressing lovingly to the side of her twin.
"Yes, all together, and in His arms!"
So mischievous Andy redeemed his naughtiness by teaching a timely
lesson of peaceful trust.
CHAPTER XVII.
LADY MOREHAM SPEAKS.
Tegeloo brought Texas, with the ulsters, and told how he had found the
bird cowering in its battered cage, which had been tossed headlong into
the middle of the cabin, where it, fortunately, lodged between the
bedsteads, being wedged in so closely as to escape further harm. The
poor parrot looked sick enough, and was so subdued he came at once to
Hope's wrist, with none of his usual feints and caprices, nestling up
to her in a satisfied manner, as he plaintively muttered, "Poor Texas!
Poor little Texas!" in response to her caresses.
Then, after a little, came a new phrase his mistress had long been
trying to teach him, but which, with the obstinacy of his kind, he
would never repeat. It came very softly now, as he tilted about on her
white wrist, and cocked his head around with a sidelong, upward glance,
"_Dear_ Hope!"
"Oh, hear!" she cried delighted. "Isn't that sweet of him? Dear
Texas! Hope's pretty Texas! Was he nearly frightened to death in the
storm?"
She forgot terror and surrounding discomforts for one minute, the next
her heart stood still, as two sailors entered with a quantity of
life-preservers, and amid rising clamor and confusion, the passengers
began their preparations for departure by the boats.
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