Cruel As The Grave

"Still moping over that depressing book. Put it away, Sybil, and get on

your bonnet, and throw a thick veil over it, and come out with me for a

walk; we have to buy something for our voyage, you know," said Lyon,

cheerfully.

Sybil with a sigh given to her fears, did as he requested her to do; and

the two went down stairs together.

"Going out for a walk, I reckon, farmer?" inquired the landlord, who

stood at the bar-room door with a pipe in his mouth.

"Aye, aye. You know these girls--when they find out that their pappies

have made a little bit of money, there is no peace till it's spent. My

girl is taking me out shopping, to buy gimcracks and things! I'll be

glad when I get her home again," grumbled Lyon.

"Well, well, she's your onliest one, and you mustn't be hard on her. My

Rachel gets all she wants, and deserves it too. Dinner at two o'clock,

sharp, farmer."

"Aye, aye! I know. Men o' my age never forget their dinners," said Lyon,

as he drew Sybil's arm within his own and led her out into the streets.

They went only into the back streets, and the poor shops, and they

bought only what was strictly necessary for their voyage; and having

concluded their purchases, they returned to the inn in time for dinner.

Sybil was very much depressed. She could not rally from the effect the

reading of that book had had upon her mind. She frequently repeated her

fervent aspiration: "Oh! that the ship would sail to-day!"

Lyon encouraged her as much as he possibly could, but he had his own

private subject of anxiety. He had not of course told any one of his

intention to go abroad. Every one believed that, having sold out his

load, he would return home; but he was obliged to stay in the city

until the sailing of the ship, and he wanted a fair excuse to do so.

That evening the weather changed, and the sky clouded over, and the next

morning it rained, and it continued to rain for three days.

"This here will make them there roads so bad that we shan't be able to

travel for a week, even if it does clear up soon," grumbled and growled

the self-styled farmer, feeling glad all the while of an excuse to stay

until the ship should sail.

"No, that you won't," echoed his friend the landlord, glad to retain a

guest with whom he was pleased.

On the third day of the rain, the sky showing signs of clearing, Lyon

Berners went over to Portsmouth to hear at what precise time the

Enterprise would sail for Liverpool. When he returned he had good news

for Sybil.