to his library, and with pencil and paper began to
estimate the probable cost of sending the seven to New South Wales, he
soon found that the little fund left by Aunt Judith would need a lot of
supplementing.

"Ah, well, something must be done for the poor things, and if that is
what they want, they shall have it," he muttered, as he shook his head
in a thoughtful fashion.

CHAPTER III

The Emigrants

"Oh, Nealie, it is a most beautiful ship, and bigger than Bodstead
Church!" cried Ducky, rushing up to her eldest sister and flinging
herself into the arms held out to her. She and Sylvia had rushed below
to find their berths, while Nealie was still standing on deck by the
side of Mr. Runciman, who had himself escorted them to London to see
them safely on board the big liner which was to take them to Sydney.

Events had marched so fast in the last fortnight that sometimes Nealie
had wondered if she were really dreaming. For the first time in her life
she was realizing what a lot of things money can do. Mr. Runciman had
told her that Aunt Judith had left a little money to be used for the
benefit of the seven. He had not told her how much it was, but had
merely said it would be enough to cover the cost of their journey, and
so they could start as soon as they pleased. And because of the fear
there was in her heart lest her father should send word they were not
to come, she had declared that she was ready to set off as soon as
berths could be secured for them.

Perhaps Mr. Runciman was also afraid that Dr. Plumstead would cable that
they were not to come, for he certainly spared neither time nor money to
facilitate their going, using so much energy in the preparations that
his servants were about equally divided in calling him hard names for
his eagerness to rid himself of a heavy burden and in praising his
generosity in making the way so easy for the seven to go to their
father.

Just at the last it had been quite hard to say goodbye to the old home
at Beechleigh and all the people they had known there. So standing on
the deck of the ocean-going liner Nealie was thankful that it was all
over, and that at last she was free from the necessity to say any more
goodbyes. Any more save one, that is, for there was still the farewell
to Mr. Runciman to be faced, and she was dreading this with a very real
shrinking as she stood so quietly by his side, while the others ran up
and down exploring their new quarters and