The young people were all full of hope and excitement;
while even Mrs. Hardy felt but little disposed to give way to
sorrow, as it had been arranged that in three or four years, if all
went well, she should bring her daughters over to England to finish
their education.
Very lovely was that first evening, and as they sat in a group
together upon deck the little girls remarked that they did not
think that the sea was anything like as terrible as they had
expected, and that they did not feel the least seasick. Their
father smiled: "Wait a little, my dears; there is an old proverb,
'Don't halloo until you are out of the wood.'"
The next day was still perfectly calm; and when, toward evening,
the children were told that they were now fairly getting into the
Bay of Biscay, they could scarcely believe the intelligence.
"Why, one would think, Maud," her father said, "that you were
disappointed at its being calm, and that you really wanted a
storm."
"Oh, papa, I do think it would be great fun; it would be so curious
not to be able to walk about, and to see everything rolling and
tumbling. Don't you think so, boys?"
"Yes, I think so, Maud; great fun," Charley said.
"Well, young people," the captain, who had been standing by
watching the sun, now fast nearing the horizon, and who had
overheard their remarks, said, "if it is any satisfaction to you, I
can tell you that you are very likely to have your wish gratified.
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