So far she had been able to bear up, but now that home was so near her heart failed her.

She had hoped to find her father on the dock.

Why had he not come?
Were things so bad then?
She questioned Judge Stott anxiously, fearfully.
He reassured her.

Both her mother and father were well.

It was too long a trip for them to make, so he had volunteered.
"Too long a trip," echoed Shirley puzzled.