"Yes; we may as well face the truth, Robert. We shall suffer in the
new home as surely as in the old. There may be stronger sunshine,
but that means deeper shadow."




CHAPTER X

SCENES ON THE WHARF


The last night in the city flat was in truth like camping out, the
fatigues of the day brought us sound sleep, and we looked and felt
like emigrants. But in the morning we rose with the dawn, from our
shakedowns on the floor, to begin eagerly and hopefully our final
preparations for departure. In response to my letters John Jones had
promised to meet us at the Maizeville Landing with his strong
covered rockaway, and to have a fire in the old farmhouse. Load
after load was despatched to the boat, for I preferred to deal with
one trusty truckman. When all had been taken away, we said good-by
to our neighbors and took the horse-car to the boat, making our
quiet exit in the least costly way. I knew the boat would be warm
and comfortable, and proposed that we should eat our lunch there.

The prospect, however, of seeing the wharves, the boats, and the
river destroyed even the children's appetites. We soon reached the
crowded dock. The great steamer appeared to be a part of it, lying
along its length with several gangways, over which boxes, barrels,