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298 brother. The free, open-air life had developed him physically, as well as mentally and morally. He was brown and merry and strong, and full of fun.

"Oh, my dear, dear lad," she cried, "but I am glad to see thee! Why, thou isn't t' same Steve at all!"

"Mebbe I'm not, Sarah; but I am t' right Steve now. I am t' Steve that God and nature meant me to be. Why, Joyce and Sarah, lasses, I am t' quartermaster already, and some day I'll sail my own ship to every port I hev read and dreamed about. See if I don't!"

Sarah fully believed him. She was standing by his side on the deck of the Arion, and thinking how handsome he looked in his blue sailor dress, and how bright and purpose-like were all his ways. Half an hour afterwards she bid him farewell, but it was a farewell full of hope and and satisfaction. She had a positive conviction of his future success, and when she turned away from the dock, she saw through happy tears the quartermaster of the Arion holding the baby shoulder-high for her last look, and Joyce and Charlotta Victoria and little Billy standing beside him.