When the question was repeated in Ojibway, however, her face brightened, and she was perfectly ready to answer all Mrs.Costello chose to ask.
She said the weather had only changed towards six o'clock.

No boat, however, had arrived, but it might be on the other side of the island, where the passage was broader and safer than on this, the Canadian side.
As soon as she was gone the two women, anxious and uneasy, rose and dressed that they might be ready.

Ready for what they scarcely knew; but they had the feeling common enough when nothing can possibly be done, that it would be a comfort to be prepared to do something.
They found Mrs.Hall superintending the laying of the breakfast-table, and Mr.Strafford hearing their voices came out of his study and joined them.

He had not the least inclination to sympathise with the fears in which Mrs.Costello was a little disposed to indulge, with regard to the safety of the boat; but he confessed a doubt as to its arrival before the hour named, or indeed that day at all.

This uncertainty threw a shadow over the whole party.