He had humbly pledged himself to curb a tendency to speed and excitement and therefore ferried the river well until a wind rose at twilight, clouds thickened overhead and a spatter of rain blew into his face.

Then his patience waned and he tacked an enormous sign upon the willow under one of Hughie's lanterns.

Owing to illness, it said, the ferry had been discontinued.

Afterward he went to tell Joan what he had done, and met the doctor on the stairway.
"By morning," he nodded slowly, answering Kenny's look.

"Yes, I'm afraid he'll be gone.