"No need for that; her pleading comes just as it should. Will you really be my brother--all wearied, sick, and worn-out as I am? Oh! if this had only come two years ago, I could have been something to you!" But Dick could not answer a word, He could only keep his eyes upon her face; afraid, as it seemed, that it would suddenly prove all a dream. But the day wore on and it did not prove less real. The heat and the glaring light were forgotten, or not heeded, while the two sat together and talked of this strange story, and tried to fill up the outlines of their mother's history. "I feel as if our grandpapa were living, or, if not living, there must be somebody who knows something about him," she said. "I think I ought to go and see. Mr. Staffs was very particular in urging that." "I think so; even if you learned nothing, it would be a good thing for you just to have tried." "I know I can get permission to stay away for a few days longer; there's nothing doing at this season, Would it take long?" "I don't know much about it; not more than two days each way, I should think. There is a steamer, too, that goes to Portland, and you can find out if Wiltshire is near there. The steamer trip would be splendid at this season. Are you a good sailor?" "I don't know. You have got a great ignoramus for a brother. I have never been half a day's journey from New York in my life." "Is that so? Well, you must go to Portland. How you will enjoy the strong, bracing sea-breezes; they make one feel a new life!" {69} Then suddenly Dick's face grew very red, but bright, and he said eagerly: "Would you trust me--I mean could your father be persuaded--would you be afraid to go with me?" "Oh! I wish I could! I would enjoy it as I never did a journey before! Just to see the sea again, and with a brother! I can't tell you how I have all my life envied girls with great, grown-up brothers. Nobody else is ever like a brother. Fred and Joe are younger than I, and have been away so much that they never seemed like brothers. A journey with you on such a quest would be something never to be forgotten." "It doesn't seem as if such a good thing could come to pass," answered Dick. "I don't know anything about travelling; you would have to train me; but if you will bear with me now, I will try hard to learn. Do you think your father would listen to the idea?" "No; he would not listen to ten words about it. He hates to be troubled; he would never forgive me if I went into explanations about an affair that did not please him; but if I say, 'Papa, I am going away for a couple of weeks to New England, unless you want me for something,' he will know where I am going, what for, and will not mind, so he is not made to talk about it; that is his way." "Will you really go, then, with me? You know I shall not know how to treat you gallantly, like your grand beaux."