tter," he added,
as the professor finished off with a tremendous burst. "Your head will
be clear now, and you can understand what I say. That boy's getting
well."

"I wish I could think so," said the professor, sniffing so very quietly
that, as if to give him a lesson, his companion blew off one of his
blasts, with the result that a waiter hurried into the room to see what
was wrong.

"Think? there is no occasion to think so. He is mending fast, sir; and
if you have any doubt about it, and cannot trust in the opinion of a man
of the world, go and watch him, and see how interested he seems in all
that is going on. Why, a fortnight ago he lay back in his chair
dreaming and thinking of nothing but himself. Now he is beginning to
forget that there is such a person. He's better, sir, better."

The fact was that the lawyer was right, and so was the professor, for at
that time Lawrence was as changeable of aspect as an April day, and his
friends could only judge him by that which he wore when they went to his
side.

At last the morning came when the steamer started for Smyrna, and the
pair were for once in a way agreed. They had been breakfasting with
Lawrence, noting his looks, his appetite, listening to every word, and
at last, when he rose feebly, and went out into the verandah to gaze
down at the busy crowd of mingled European and Eastern people, whose
dress and habits seemed never tiring to the lad, the lawyer turned to
the professor and exclaimed:

"You did not say a word to him about sailing to-day."

"No. Neither did you."

"Well, why didn't you?"

"Because I thought that it seemed useless, and that we had better stay."

"Well, I don't often agree with you, professor, but I must say that I do
to-day. The boy is not equal to it. But he is better."

"Ye-es," said the professor. "I think he is better."

Just then Lawrence returned from the verandah, looking flushed and
excited.

"Why, the Smyrna boat sails to-day, Mr Preston," he exclaimed. "One of
the waiters has just told me. Hadn't we better get ready at once?"

"Get ready?" said the professor kindly. "We thought that perhaps we had
better wait for the next boat."

"Oh!" exclaimed Lawrence, with his countenance changing. "I shall be so
disappointed. I felt so much better too, and I've been longing to see
some of the Grecian isles."

"Do you really feel yourself equal to the journey, my dear boy?" said
the professor.

"Oh yes. I do