The heavy iron doors opened and it passed out of her sight; the doors closed with a soft click and a turn of the key, and Sara went on her way with a sigh.
"There are grey and black shadows in the making of it, too," she said, and hurried on.
Once or twice she stopped to ask her way of a passer-by.
"The docks this way?
Yes, go on, and turn to the left." At the end of the road she came upon a crowd of boys who were playing some street game with loud shouts and laughter, and Sara, who had hitherto braved all dangers, shrank a little.
"Hello, mother! where are you going?
There's a penny to pay for passing through this way," and they crowded clamorously around her.
She looked at them calmly, disregarding their begging.
"Iss one of you will show me the docks, then shall he have a penny.
You," she said, pointing to one with a round pale face, and honest black eyes.
"Yes 'll I," said the boy, and he turned down a corner, beckoning to her to follow.
"Go on, old witch!" cried the disappointed ones; "where's your broom ?" "Can't you speak Welsh ?" she asked, as she came abreast with her guide.
"Yes, that can I," said the boy in his native tongue.
"Oh, very good, then.

'Tis the _Gwenllian_ I am wanting--Captain Price--can you find her ?" "Oh, yes, come on," said the boy.

"I was on board of her yesterday morning, but she was about sailing for Toulon with a cargo of coal.
Most like she's gone." Sara's heart sank, and as they came in sight of the forests of masts, the bales of goods, the piles of boards, of pig iron, of bricks and all the other impedimenta of a wharf, for the first time her heart was full of misgivings.
"Stop you there," said the boy, "and I will go and see," and he darted away, leaving Sara somewhat forlorn amongst the rough crowd of sailors and dockmen.
"Hullo, mother!" said a jolly-looking red-faced man who had nearly toppled over the little frail figure; "what you doing so far from home?
They are missing you shocking in some chapel away in the hills somewhere, I'm sure." "Well, indeed, 'tis there I would like to go as soon as my business is ended.

'Tis Gethin Owens I am looking for, mate of the _Gwenllian_." "Oh, ho," said the man, "you may go back to chapel at once, little woman; you won't find him, for he sailed yesterday for France." At this moment the boy returned with the same information, and Sara turned her face sorrowfully away from the shipping.
"I will give you two pennies if you will take me back to Bryn Street." "Come on," said the boy.
He did not tell her that his home lay in that identical street, and that he was already due there.
Once more the little red mantle passed through the busy crowd.

Not for years had Sara felt so sad and disappointed, the heavy air of the town probably added to her dejection.
Mrs.Jones was loud in her sympathy as Sara, faint and weary, seated herself on the settle.
"Oh, Kitty Jones fach!" she said, leaning on her stick and swaying backwards and forwards.