Page:Keeping the Peace.pdf/167

 The Aurora was a tall, full-rigged ship, and the hand of coincidence brought Edward over her side at just the moment that his brother John was about to go ashore. John had changed to a shore suit and was carrying a heavy valise. An ancient hack drawn by an ancient horse was waiting for him on the dock. It was obvious that John was a little disconcerted by Edward's unexpected arrival. And Edward perceived this at once.

"I oughtn't to have come, ought I?" he blurted out.

"It's all right," said John. "Don't worry. You come along with me."

"I will wait here till you come back," said Edward.

"I'm not coming back—not for a week. I'm going to Flushing for two days and then home."

Edward wondered why his brother should have to go to Flushing for two days. But he did not express his wonder.

"I was crazy to see you, John," he said. "And so I came. Mother thought it was an extravagant idea, so I walked. She wouldn't have let me come if it hadn't been that there's so many churches in Brooklyn. She thought that the sight of them might do me good."

"You walked?" asked John. They had reached the ancient hack and John held the door open