to think me luke-warm.'

'But you'll come back?' I asked, distressed at the thought of this
sudden parting.

'Oh, yes! At least I hope so. They may want me to go out by the next
steamer, that will be on Saturday.' He began to eat and drink standing,
but I think he was quite unconscious of the nature of either his food
or his drink.

'I will go to-night. Activity and readiness go a long way in our
profession. Remember that, my boy! I hope I shall come back, but if I
don't, be sure and recollect all the words of wisdom that have fallen
from my lips. Now where's the portmanteau? If I can gain half an hour
for a gathering up of my things in Eltham, so much the better. I'm
clear of debt anyhow; and what I owe for my lodgings you can pay for me
out of my quarter's salary, due November 4th.'

'Then you don't think you will come back?' I said, despondingly.

'I will come back some time, never fear,' said he, kindly. 'I may be
back in a couple of days, having been found in-competent for the
Canadian work; or I may not be wanted to go out so soon as I now
anticipate. Anyhow you don't suppose I am going to forget you, Paul
this work out there ought not to take me above two years, and, perhaps,
after that, we may be employed together again.' Perhaps! I had very
little hope. The same kind of happy days never returns. However, I did
all I could in helping him: clothes, papers, books, instruments; how we
pushed and struggled--how I stuffed. All was done in a much shorter
time than we had calculated upon, when I had run down to the sheds to
order the engine. I was going to drive him to Eltham. We sate ready for
a summons. Holdsworth took up the little nosegay that he had brought
away from the Hope Farm, and had laid on the mantel-piece on first
coming into the room. He smelt at it, and caressed it with his lips.

'What grieves me is that I did not know--that I have not said good-bye
to--to them.'

He spoke in a grave tone, the shadow of the coming separation falling
upon him at last.

'I will tell them,' said I. 'I am sure they will be very sorry.' Then
we were silent.

'I never liked any family so much.'

'I knew you would like them.'

'How one's thoughts change,--this morning I was full of a hope, Paul.'
He paused, and then he said,--

'You put that sketch in carefully?'

'That outline of a head?' asked I. But I knew he meant an abortive
sketch of Phillis, which had not been successful enough for him to
complete it