he had done, and was standing for a moment to see if the fire
'drew' properly, Mrs. Costello spoke to her. She understood no English,
however, or at least she understood none addressed to her by a strange
voice, and said so in her own soft musical language. When the question
was repeated in Ojibway, however, her face brightened, and she was
perfectly ready to answer all Mrs. Costello chose to ask.

She said the weather had only changed towards six o'clock. No boat,
however, had arrived, but it might be on the other side of the island,
where the passage was broader and safer than on this, the Canadian
side.

As soon as she was gone the two women, anxious and uneasy, rose and
dressed that they might be ready. Ready for what they scarcely knew; but
they had the feeling common enough when nothing can possibly be done,
that it would be a comfort to be prepared to do something.

They found Mrs. Hall superintending the laying of the breakfast-table,
and Mr. Strafford hearing their voices came out of his study and joined
them. He had not the least inclination to sympathise with the fears in
which Mrs. Costello was a little disposed to indulge, with regard to the
safety of the boat; but he confessed a doubt as to its arrival before
the hour named, or indeed that day at all. This uncertainty threw a
shadow over the whole party. It was impossible to avoid making pauses in
their conversation whenever the wind seemed either to rise more
fiercely, or to be lulled into a momentary calm; and after breakfast was
over, and Mrs. Hall in cloak and hood had started for her school, they
began to make frequent journeys to the windows, and interrupt their talk
to say to each other,

"There is less drift, I think."

"Yes; certainly it is clearer. I can see the water." Or,

"The wind is surely higher than ever, and it will be against them."

"On the contrary, it is almost directly favourable, but the question is
whether they would venture out at all in such a storm."

At last, however, towards twelve o'clock the wind did unmistakably begin
to abate. Mr. Strafford had been out, and on his return affirmed that
the storm was almost over. It might return again towards night, but if
the boatmen knew their business, they should be able to take advantage
of the next few hours and reach the island while the calm lasted.

"There is no sign of their arrival at present then?" Mrs. Costello asked
anxiously.

"I have not been round the island," Mr