Norman had come there at her request to say adieu to her; that she and he, who had been friends since she was a child, might see each other before they were separated for ever by half a world, and that they might part in love and charity.

She would be his sister-in-law, he would be son to her mother, husband to her Linda; he had been, though he now denied it, her husband's staunchest friend in his extremity; and it would have added greatly to the bitterness of her departure had she been forced to go without speaking to him one kindly word.

The opportunity was given to her, and she would not utterly mar its sweetness by insisting on his injustice to her husband.
They all remained silent for a while, during which Gertrude fondled her baby, and Norman produced before the elder boy some present that he had brought for him.
'Now, Alley,' said Mrs.Woodward, 'you're a made man; won't that do beautifully to play with on board the big ship ?' 'And so, Harry, you have given up official life altogether,' said Gertrude.
'Yes,' said he--'the last day of the last year saw my finale at the Weights and Measures.

I did not live long--officially--to enjoy my promotion.

I almost wish myself back again.' 'You'll go in on melting days, like the retired tallow-chandler,' said Gertrude; 'but, joking apart, I wish you joy on your freedom from thraldom; a government office in England is thraldom.