Her husband feeling it necessary at this point to demand one of those mysterious disappearances on Bella’s part, she dutifully obeyed; saying in a softened voice from her place of concealment:

“You remember how we talked about the ships that day, Pa?”

“Yes, my dear.”

“Isn’t it strange, now, to think that there was no John in all the ships, Pa?”

“Not at all, my dear.”

“Oh, Pa! Not at all?”

“No, my dear. How can we tell what coming people are aboard the ships that may be sailing to us now from the unknown seas!”