But waking to it from fever,
when he did not care where he lay, so that he could only lie, he grew
reconciled to it. Indeed, Charley began to like the boat; but he was
none the less eager for the day that would see him leave it.
That day came at last. The barge was brought-to; and here you see
Charley and his protector. Charley's clothes looked a mile too small
for him, he had so grown in his illness; and Charley was minus a cap,
and the handkerchief did duty for one. But it was Charley, in spite of
all; and I say that you must imagine the meeting. You must imagine
their heartfelt thanks to the woman, and their more substantial
recompense.
"Charley, darling, if you could only have written to us, what dreadful
distress you would have saved!" exclaimed Constance.
"_He_ write, miss!" interposed the woman. "He couldn't have writ to
save his life! And we was a-moving up stream again before he was well
enough to tell us anything about himself. My husband might have writ a
word else; I ain't no hand at a pen myself. We have got quite used to
the little gentleman, and shall miss him now."
"Constance, tell her. Is it not true about the ghost? I am sure you
must have heard of it from the boys. She thinks I dreamt it, she says."
Judith broke out volubly before Constance could answer, testifying that
it was true, and relating the ill-doings of the boys that night rather
more at length than she need have done.
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