He read in silence, with an arm round my waist. For a whole minute and more we heard the clock ticking. Then he cleared his throat, and said soothingly: "After all, it mayn't come to anything--at any rate, not till afterwards. People don't care to be away from their homes at Christmas. It's only an approximate date." He was wrong. The postponements that invariably take place at other times did not occur this time--as if on purpose. The hot weather set in early, and it seemed that many people did desire to escape, not from it only, but from the social responsibilities of the so-called festive season. The Bendigo was a good boat, as everybody knew, and her captain a great favourite with the travelling public. I don't wonder at it! So that the passenger list filled rapidly, and every day brought us less hope of a reprieve. Tom seemed a year older each time that he returned from the regular voyage, bringing this information, and I know I nearly drove him mad with my pale face and tear-sodden eyes. One day he told me so. "_What_ am I to do?" he groaned, staring strangely. "How can I leave you like this? I can't, I can't! and yet, if I don't go, Polly--it is all our living, my dear----" Nothing ever frightened me so much. For _him_ to have that look of agitation--my strong rock of protection and defence--he who had never wondered what he was to do, but always knew and did it, while others wondered--it was too shocking. I pulled myself together immediately. "After all," I said, with a gulp and a smile, "the other poor seamen's wives have to take their chance of this sort of thing, so why not I?" "You," he replied, in his fond, stupid way, "are not like the others, my pretty one." He meant that I was far more choice and precious. "Being pretty," I rejoined, "is no disadvantage that I know of, having regard to the present circumstances. Now if I was delicate, then you _might_ be anxious. Tommy, dear, I can't have you look like that! And there's no reason in the world why I should not do as well as possible--as well as everybody else does; indeed, I'm sure I shall. Of course I shall miss you awfully--awfully"--my cheerful voice quavered in spite of myself--"but there will be the proper people to look after me, and--and--_think_ what it will be when you come back again!" He had me in his arms now, with my face under his left ear. "My brave girl!" he murmured. "My own brave girl!" Just as when he called me that before, my heart rose elated. I determined to deserve the title. "Of course you must go," I said firmly; "it is our living, as you say. No use having a family, and nothing to keep it on, is it? I suppose it won't be _more_ than a month? A month is soon over. I can send you telegrams. Don't you worry about me. I'm a wicked idiot to fret and grumble; it is because you have spoiled me, love! I have got so used to having you to take care of me----" I choked, and burst into fresh tears.