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winds and waves； till one recollected who held the storm in His hand。'
He spoke very simply； as if he could not help it； with his eye fixed on
the clear eastern sky； and with a tone of grave awe and thankfulness
which greatly struck Mr。 Ashford； from the complete absence of self…
consciousness； or from any attempt either to magnify or depreciate his
sense of the danger。
'You thought the storm a more dangerous time than your expedition on
the rock？'
'It was not。 The fishermen； who were used to such things； did not
think much of it； but I am glad to have been out on such a night； if
only for the magnificent sensation it gives to realize one's own
powerlessness and His might。 As for the rock； there was something to
do to look to one's footing； and cling on； no time to think。'
'It was a desperate thing！'
'Not so bad as it looked。 One step at a time is all one wants； you
know； and that there always was。 But what a fine fellow Ben Robinson
is！ He behaved like a regular heroit was the thorough contempt and
love of danger one reads of。 There must be a great deal of good in
him； if one only knew how to get hold of it。'
'Look there！' was Mr。 Ashford's answer； as he turned his head at the
church wicket； and； at a short distance behind； Guy saw Ben himself
walking up the path； with his thankful； happy father； a sight that had
not been seen for months； nay； for years。
'Ay；' he said； 'such a night as this； and such a good old man as the
father； could not fail to bring out all the good in a man。'
'Yes；' thought Mr。 Ashford； 'such a night； under such a leader！ The
sight of so much courage based on that foundation is what may best
touch and save that man。'
After church； Guy walked fast away； Mr。 Ashford went home； made a long
breakfast； having the whole story to tell； and was on to the scene of
action again； where he found the master； quite restored； and was
presently joined by Markham。 Of Sir Guy； there was no news； except
that Jem Ledbury said he had looked in after church to know how the
cabin boy was going on； and the master； understanding that he had been
the leader in the rescue； was very anxious to thank him； and walked up
to the house with Markham and Mr。 Ashford。
Markham conducted them straight to the library； the door of which was
open。 He crossed the room； smiled； and made a sign to Mr。 Ashford； who
looked in some surprise and amusement。 It has been already said that
the room was so spacious that the inhabited part looked like a little
encampment by the fire； though the round table was large； and the green
leather sofa and arm chair were cumbrous。
However； old Sir Guy's arm…chair was never used by his grandson；
Markham might sit there； and Bustle did sometimes； but Guy always used
one of the unpretending； unluxurious chairs； which were the staple of
the room。 This； however； was vacant； and on the table before it stood
the remains of breakfast； a loaf reduced to half its dimensions； an
empty plate and coffee…cup。 The fire was burnt down to a single log；
and on the sofa； on all the various books with which it was strewed；
lay Guy； in anything but a comfortable position； his head on a great
dictionary； fairly overcome with sleep； his very thick； black eyelashes
resting on his fresh； bright cheek； and the relaxation of the grave
expression of his features making him look even younger than he really
was。 He was so sound asleep that it was not till some movement of
Markham's that he awoke； and started up； exclaiming；
'What a horrid shame！ I am very sorry！'
'Sorry！ what for？' said Markham。 'I am glad； at any rate； you have
been wise enough to change your things； and eat some breakfast。'
'I meant to have done so much；' said Guy； 'but sea…wind makes one so
sleepy！' Then； perceiving the captain； he came forward； hoping he was
quite recovered。
The captain stood mystified； for he could not believe this slim youth
could be the Sir Guy of whose name he had heard so much； and； after
answering the inquiry； he began；
'If I could have the honour of seeing Sir Guy'
'Well？' said Guy。
'I beg your pardon； sir！' said the captain； while they all laughed； 'I
did not guess you could be so young a gentleman。 I am sure； sir； 'tis
what any man might be proud of having done； andI never saw anything
like it！' he added； with a fresh start； 'and it will do you honour
everywhere。 All our lives are owing to you； sir。'
Guy did not cut him short； though very glad when it was over。 He felt
he should not； in the captain's place； like to have his thanks
shortened； and besides； if ever there was happiness or exultation； it
was in the glistening eyes of old Markham； the first time he had ever
been able to be justly proud of one of the family； whom he loved with
so much faithfulness and devotion。
CHAPTER 24
Is there a word； or jest； or game；
But time encrusteth round
With sad associate thoughts the same？
ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING。
Among the persons who spent a forlorn autumn was Mr。 Ross； though his
troubles were not quite of the same description as those of his young
parishioners。 He missed his daughter very much； all his household
affairs got out of order； the school…girls were naughty； and neither
he； nor Miss Edmonstone； nor the mistress； could discover the culprits；
their inquiries produced nothing but a wild confusion of mutual
accusations； where the truth was undistinguishable。 The cook never
could find anything to make broth of； Mr。 Ross could； never lay his
hands on the books he wanted for himself or anybody else； and； lastly；
none of his shirts ever had their buttons on。
Mary； meanwhile； had to remain through a whole course of measles； then
to greet the arrival of a new nephew； and to attend his christening：
but she had made a vow that she would be at home by Christmas； and she
kept it。
Mr。 Ross had the satisfaction of fetching her home from the station the
day before Christmas Eve； and of seeing her opposite to him； on her own
side of the table； in the evening； putting on the buttons； and
considering it an especial favour and kindness； for which to be for
ever grateful； that he had written all his Christmas sermons
beforehand； so as to have a whole evening clear before her。 He was
never a great letter…writer； and Mary had a great deal to hear； for all
that had come to her were the main facts； with very few details。
'I have had very few letters； even from Hollywell；' said she。 'I
suppose it is on account of Charles's illness。 You think him really
better？'
'Yes； much better。 I forgot to tell you； you are wanted for their
Christmas party to…morrow night。'
'Oh！ he is well enough for them not to put it off！ Is he able to be
out of bed？'
'No； he lies perfectly flat； and looks very thin。 It has been