"You are a little fanciful creature; you must learn to leave off
dreaming when you are awake."

"What shall you dream about when father goes away to sea again?" asked
Harry.

"I think mother will not let him go; we cannot spare him; but if you
should go, father, I shall love to dream of you very often; I will think
of you every day, sailing on the water with a heart so light. O, it must
be so pleasant to live, to sleep on the water! And you will want to see
dear mother and Harry, when you are so far away; you will not forget
us;" and she hid her cheek in the hardy captain's bosom.

"No, no, darling, I shan't forget you; but we wont talk any more about
it now; I have not gone yet."

What was it made that stout man's voice tremulous, as he called for his
evening paper? Many a time had that stern voice been heard above the
hurricane's roar, giving the word of command,--why did it tremble now?
Was it that voice of childhood which sank into his heart?

* * * * *

"Missus, de sun hab done gone, now, de chllens hab all gone from school
long ago, and Bingo's two eyes hab clean gone stretched, looking up de
road for de Sea-flower," remarked that worthy, putting his ebony head in
at the drawing-room door, where sat Mrs. Grosvenor, so busily engaged
making those garments for her husband, which she feared would be needed,
alas! so soon that she had not perceived the hours were gliding on
apace, and that it was long past the time when Sea-flower usually came