Page:Once a Week, Series 1, Volume II Dec 1859 to June 1860.pdf/14



“ George is coming down to spend three weeks here—it will be so jolly! And he’s going to bring his brother too. You must make us some sailors out of dolls for our yacht; mother will give us the blue cloth, and Susan said I might have some of the pieces out of the rag-bag for the trousers. You’ll make them, won’t you, Jane? George won’t mind; he’ll be here three weeks, so you’ll see enough of him.”

Jane promised to turn tailor, and kept her promise; and when George and his brother arrived, they found the yacht ready, and the men at their posts in their best trim.

“Here, William, you go with Tom to the pond; I’ll come another time.”

The boys went, and Jane was alone with George.

“There’s something the matter, George, I can see it in your face.”

“Yes, Jenny, there is; I’m going a long voyage. You know, Jenny, I was to have gone to Calcutta, but when your father said what he did—you remember?—I made up my mind to get on faster. I’m going with Franklin—three years, perhaps—but it will be the making of all of us who come back, so you mustn’t mind, Jenny; time will soon go by, and I shall be able when I come back to find a nest for you—little wren.”

He spoke hurriedly as though to prevent her speaking.

She sobbed out, “Three years, George? Not see you for three years! It’s very cruel—it’s very hard.”

“No, Jenny, not ‘cruel,’ not ‘hard.’ It’s sure to make my fortune, and I might work in the ordinary way ten years before I satisfied your father.”

“But surely, George, you could do something on shore, if not at sea, to prevent this terrible separation. Can’t you be a clerk, or something? You draw nicely—much better than old Mr.