"No, lad, the money's yours. Never a penny will Jack Brunscombe touch.
If when a little 'un yer were any expense, you've more than repaid it
now you've growed up, for you've been a mort o' help to me. But come
bo', let's to the point. What made yer put that question about the bit
o' money to-night? You'd some reason--so all fair and above board--fire
your broadside. I'm prepared. What is it?"
"Why, Brunscombe, I was thinking," I began, "that if I really had a
little money I would like to carry out a plan I have been turning about
in my head."
"And that?"
"Why, to go over to Liverpool or London, and enter the merchant
service."
"You find this here place then, too circumcised for your talents," he
rejoined, with a wink at Katie.
"I certainly think it too circumscribed for a young man beginning life,"
I replied. "You, yourself, Brunscombe, did not pass all your existence
here, though _your_ native place as mine."
"Quite right, bo', quite; and joking apart, I think what you propose is
the correct thing to do. So you may go into the town to-morrow, draw
out the money, and then up to Liverpool. First of all, my old woman
will write yer a list of things necessary for your kit, and you've been
your own master long enough to know how to lay out the twenty punds, for
that's about the sum it is, judiciously."
Thus things were arranged quite to my satisfaction, and any of my
readers possessed with so eager a desire after adventure as held me
captive, will not wonder that I got little sleep that night. I tossed
and turned, my brain busy with plans for the future; and no sooner did
the faintest glimmer of light show in at the little dormer window in the
roof, than I was up, dressed, and taking farewell of the dear old beach,
the rugged friendly rocks, and clear silver pools, natural aquaria,
bright with the beautiful delicate green _ulva latissima_ and _Porphyra
laciniata_, whose splendid fronds hanging in graceful festoons, formed
caves and grottos where lurked the sea _anemones_ or _actinias_, with
their tentacles tipped with rosy red--the more splendid crass, the sly
hermit crab in search for periwinkles, and the _uraster rubens_, or
five-fingered fish.
To each and all I bade a fervent, though silent adieu, and then, though
the sun was still not very much above the horizon, turned back to the
cottage, feeling certain that breakfast _must_ be ready, notwithstanding
that it yet wanted over half-an-hour to the time.
On nearing home, as I rounded a sharp angle of the rock, I came suddenly
upon Katie Brunscombe. She was seated on a large boulder, her small
hands clasped round her knees, a bright handkerchief over her shoulders,
and her little feet just peeping out from beneath her rough blue serge
petticoat. Her eyes were fixed on the sea, now sparkling like molten
gold, while the breeze off which tossed her yellow curls in sportive
play.
The expression of Katie's face, so sadly thoughtful, with a moisture
glistening on her long lashes, was such a marked contrast to my own
joyous one that involuntarily I stood still in wonder, then advancing, I
placed my arm gently about her waist, for we were as brother and sister
to each other, and said as I sat down by her side, "Why, Katie darling,
what is the reason of so sad a countenance this morning?"
She turned her blue eyes with a start upon me, while a rosy colour
rushed to her pretty cheeks as she strove to speak; but, suddenly,
bending down her head, and trying to free herself from my arm, she burst
into a flood of tears.
"What _is_ the matter, Katie?" I asked, fairly puzzled at her
behaviour, stupid dolt that I was. Then as the idea suddenly occurred
to me, I added, "Is it Katie that you would rather I did not go away?"
She was silent, still keeping her face from me, but at last I managed to
turn it round.
As if a veil had fallen both from my eyes and heart I read her secret,
and--my own--she loved me, and, with the knowledge, I became conscious
of my true feelings towards her.
My arm still about her waist, a familiarity she no longer resisted, I
again strolled down to the beach; and this time the visit must have been
far more agreeable than the former one, for I forgot all about my joy at
my departure, and do not know how long our conversation would have
lasted, had it not been interrupted by the voice of old Brunscombe,
hulloaing for me to come in, or I should be too late for breakfast.
So we went back to the cottage, betrothed lovers; the ceremony of
betrothal having taken place over a holey sixpence, which was to be
suspended round Katie's neck, and a tress of gold which reposed very
comfortably in my waistcoat pocket.
One hour after, Brunscombe and I sailed round to the point of land
nearest the town where he had deposited the money. This I drew out;
made my necessary purchases, including a bright ribbon and work-box, for
Katie. Then bidding Brunscombe a warm farewell, started for Liverpool.