Ah, now you look better already, and like my own dear little mother who will keep safe and well, and welcome me back next year, surely; and then, dear one, we'll have no end of a happy time!" "I hope so, Eric; I hope so with all my heart," said she, pressing the eager lad to her bosom in a fond embrace; "and you may be sure that none will be so glad to welcome you back as I!" "Think, mother," said Eric presently, after a moment's silence, in which the feelings of the two seemed too great to find expression in words of common import.

"Why, by that time I will have nearly sailed round the world; for in my voyage to Java and back I will have to `double the Cape,' as sailors say!" "Yes, that you will, my boy," chimed in his mother, anxious to sustain this buoyant change in his humour, and drive away the somewhat melancholy tone she had unwittingly introduced into their last parting conversation.

"You'll be a regular little travelled monkey, like the one belonging to the Dutchman that we were reading about the other day which could do everything almost but speak, although I don't think anybody would accuse you of any want of ability on the latter score, you chatterbox!" "No, no, little mother; I think not likewise," chuckled Eric complacently.

"I'm not one of your silent ones, not so! But, hurrah!-- There comes Fritz turning in under the old gateway.

He said he would try and get away for half an hour in the afternoon from the counting- house to wish me another good-bye and see me off, if Herr Grosschnapper could spare him.