It was impossible to avoid making pauses in their conversation whenever the wind seemed either to rise more fiercely, or to be lulled into a momentary calm; and after breakfast was over, and Mrs.Hall in cloak and hood had started for her school, they began to make frequent journeys to the windows, and interrupt their talk to say to each other, "There is less drift, I think." "Yes; certainly it is clearer.

I can see the water." Or, "The wind is surely higher than ever, and it will be against them." "On the contrary, it is almost directly favourable, but the question is whether they would venture out at all in such a storm." At last, however, towards twelve o'clock the wind did unmistakably begin to abate.

Mr.Strafford had been out, and on his return affirmed that the storm was almost over.

It might return again towards night, but if the boatmen knew their business, they should be able to take advantage of the next few hours and reach the island while the calm lasted.
"There is no sign of their arrival at present then ?" Mrs.Costello asked anxiously.
"I have not been round the island," Mr.Strafford answered.

"No one seems to have seen anything of a boat at all.