"Why, you should be proud of this journey of mine," he said with a forced lightness that could only have deceived his father; "think what it is to be chosen out of the whole office to undertake this business." "It's a good sign. Yes, I see that now." "And I shall be back sooner than you expect, perhaps. Why, you and I must not part like two silly girls, to whom the journey of a few miles is the event of a life. Now, good-bye, sir--God keep you strong and well till I come back again!" "And you, my lad, and you, too." "Amen. God grant it." There was a strange earnestness in the son's voice, but the father was still too much excited to take heed. "And now good-bye again," shaking his father's hands; "you'll stay here, sir, you'll not come down any more to-night." "Yes, I will." "You must try and keep calm; I will beg you as a favour to remain here, father." "Well, well, if you wish it--but I'm not a child." Sidney released his father's hands, caught up his portmanteau, and marched down stairs. Mattie, pale with suppressed excitement, met him in the shop. He put down his burden, caught her by the wrist, and drew her into the parlour. Seeing Ann Packet there, he bade her go down stairs somewhat abruptly, released his grip of Mattie, and waited for Ann's withdrawal, beating his foot impatiently upon the carpet. Mattie looked nervously towards him, and thought that she had never seen him look more stern and hard. His face was deathly white, and his eyes burned like coals behind the glasses that he wore. "Mattie," he said, "you and I, my father and you, are old friends." "Yes, sir." "I will ask a favour of you before I go. Take care of him! Ask him to come down here to smoke his pipe with you, and keep him as light-hearted as you can till I return." "Who?--I, sir?" "You have the way with you; you are quick to observe, and it will not take much pains to keep him pleased, I think. When he begins to wonder why I haven't returned, break to him by degrees that I have deceived him, fearing the shock too sudden for his strength." "Oh! sir, how can you leave all this to me?" "I have faith in no one else, Mattie, to do me this service. You are always cool, and will know the best way to proceed. Cheer up the old gentleman all you can, too;--you were a quaint girl once--don't let him miss me if you can help it." "And you'll be gone----" "Six weeks or two months." "It's not a very happy journey, sir." "How do you know that?" was the quick rejoinder. "You're not looking happy--there's trouble in your face, Mr. Sidney." "Well, there is room for it, and I am going, as I fear, to face trouble, and bring back with me disappointment. We can't have it all our own way in this world, Mattie." "No, sir, that's not likely." "And if there be more troubles than one ahead, why we must fight against them till we beat them back, or they--crush us under foot. Good-bye."