something
I ought to have bought, and I shall remember it when we're hundreds of
miles from land. I know: it was another pair of razors for Sir John!"

"But you bought those seven in a case, with the days of the week on
them, Lady O'Hara."

"Sure, and I did, Nic. Good boy. You are of some use, after all. My
poor head's nearly worn out with thinking, and I'm bothered entirely.
Nic, I mean to go to sleep for a week as soon as we get on board by way
of a good rest. Now then, do try and think for me, Nic; what was the
other thing I forgot?"

Nic shook his head.

"I could think of hundreds of things that might be useful out there."

"No, you couldn't," said the lady shortly. "You've never been there,
and you'd be taking out all kinds of things that would be just of no use
at all, the same as I did when I first went. I've got something on my
brain, only it's buried under a heap of other things. Well, never mind;
it will shake up to the top at last when it's too late."

Lady O'Hara's head was bothered till the last moment, when the hotel
bill was paid, the hackney coach and driver in his coat of many capes at
the door, and landlord, landlady, and servants all waiting to bid the
amiable, bluff-spoken Irish lady God-speed in her long journey to the
other side of the world. Then the door banged; and, followed by a
cheer, the coach was driven off, Nic feeling in a peculiar state of
mind, a mixture of high spirits, low spirits, and pain; for Lady O'Hara
plumped herself back in her corner, took out a handkerchief, covered her
face, and burst into a fit of sobbing, rocking herself to and fro as she
cried aloud till Nic could bear it no longer. He had been fidgeting and
wondering what to say or do, growing more and more wretched, till, at
the end of ten minutes, he laid his hand upon his companion's, and said
simply:

"Oh, Lady O'Hara, pray, pray don't cry."

"Sure, and I won't," she exclaimed impetuously, as she hastily wiped her
eyes; "but I couldn't help it, Nic. It hurts me when people are so kind
and sorry to part from you, and ye feel that ye may never see them
again. I'm afraid I'm a very silly old woman. Give me a kiss, my dear,
and I won't cry another drop. There, it's all over now, and that's
cleared my head. It doesn't feel bothered a bit. What's forgotten's
forgotten, and I don't think my darlin' will be very cross with me. If
he is, I shall call you to witness that I've worked very hard."

"Tha