It is a rough life, Aunty, but a wholesome one if a fellow loves it as I do, and has an anchor to windward as I have.

Don't worry about me, and I'll come home next year with a chest of tea that will cheer your heart and give you ideas enough for a dozen novels.

Going below?
All right, steady in the gangway! I'll be along by the time you've got out the cake-box.

Last chance for a good old lunch ashore.' Mrs Jo descended laughing, and Emil finished his ship whistling cheerfully, neither dreaming when and where this little chat on the house-top would return to the memory of one of them.
Dan was harder to catch, and not until evening did a quiet moment come in that busy family; when, while the rest were roaming about, Mrs Jo sat down to read in the study, and presently Dan looked in at the window.
'Come and rest after your long tramp; you must be tired,' she called, with an inviting nod towards the big sofa where so many boys had reposed--as much as that active animal ever does.
'Afraid I shall disturb you'; but Dan looked as if he wanted to stay his restless feet somewhere.
'Not a bit; I'm always ready to talk, shouldn't be a woman if I were not,' laughed Mrs Jo, as Dan swung himself in and sat down with an air of contentment very pleasant to see.
'Last day is over, yet somehow I don't seem to hanker to be off.
Generally, I'm rather anxious to cut loose after a short stop.

Odd, ain't it ?' asked Dan, gravely picking grass and leaves out of his hair and beard; for he had been lying on the grass, thinking many thoughts in the quiet summer night.
'Not at all; you are beginning to get civilized.