Page:The Diothas, or, A far look ahead (IA diothasorfarlook01macn).pdf/288

 "Let me see," was the response, as he took down a chart: "the distance is about forty-four hundred miles. That can easily be accomplished in four days."

"In another day, then," said I eagerly, "I shall be able to communicate with her and my sister?"

"Perhaps it may be possible to communicate with them much sooner than that," said he, smiling at my eagerness. The fact is, that hitherto I had rather dreaded the moment when I should he obliged to enter into communication with these relatives of the Ismar Thiusen with whom I had in such an inexplicable manner become identified. The events of the day, however, had produced an entire revulsion of feeling. I now earnestly desired what before I had shrunk from. Meanwhile, without further explanation, Utis had risen, placed himself before the telephone, and was evidently making some inquiry.

"I have made inquiry at Valparaiso," he explained, on returning to the veranda, "whether the electric packet has yet reached Ualdoth." Here he proceeded to point out to me on the chart a small island about sixteen hundred miles west of Valparaiso. He had begun to explain that this was the usual stopping-place for the packet from Maoria, when a summons called him to the telephone. After the exchange of a few words, he returned, saying,—

"We are almost too late: the packet leaves Ualdoth in less than half an hour. I have given directions, however, to make connection with the ship, and to inform your mother. You will probably have time for a quarter of an hour of conversation, unless she has retired for the night. That, however, is unlikely; since the sun sets there about two hours later than here."