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loath to relieve their anxiety and only the presence of the cheerful Captain made him say: —
    “Ah, I dare say she’ll do. That is if there are no squalls. The leak will be four feet out of the water if the sea gets no worse. She may do — but we’ll hae to keep at the pumps.”
    The
Alanna
had turned back with the sound of thunder in her sails as she veered. Now, to the wind she had struggled against for so many days, she surrendered herself, let it drive her back toward Ireland and strained every inch of canvas to be there with the least loss of time. But the shifting of the ballast made her awkward. No one could forget the way she listed. It was as though all on board had suddenly become lame, leaning to one side when they walked.
    And there were the pumps always to be kept going, forcing out the briny water that stretched in monstrous fathoms waiting to force its way in again. Aching backs, hands blistered, then callused, monotonous hours that wove the day and night into one chain of weariness and boredom. Every now and again the boredom changing to apprehension at the sight of a ragged cloud that looked the possible mother of a squall. Of all those on board, Adeline was the most buoyant. In her handsome clothes, that were so unsuitable to the situation, she carried assurance and gaiety wherever she went. She would, for all Philip’s remonstrances, take her turn at the pumps. She learned sea chanteys from the sailors, though she never could keep on the tune.
    A strange intimacy sprang up among the passengers. They seemed to have known each other for years. Their faces, their gestures, their peculiarities, were etched on each other’s minds. Then, on the eighth day, the dim shape of Ireland became visible on the horizon.

IV
    R EPAIRS
    G ALWAY B AY lay blue and tranquil, church bells were ringing as the bark, at a melancholy angle, moved slowly into the port. Then, for the first time in ten days, the pound of the pumps ceased. The eardrums of those on board were freed to take in the sound of the bells and the singing of birds.
    Adeline stood in the bow facing the light breeze that carried warm scents of the land. Her nostrils quivered and she gave a little laugh. Mr. Wilmott came up just in time to hear it.
    “You are fortunate to be able to laugh, Mrs. Whiteoak,” he said. “To me this is a most depressing return.”
    She looked at him over her shoulder, her white teeth gleaming between her parted lips.
    “Why,” she exclaimed, “aren’t you glad to smell the land again — and hear the bells?”
    “Not the Old Land,” he answered bitterly. “Not
these
bells. I never expected to be here again. I want the New World.”
    “Well, you’ll get it, if only you have patience. You might be at the bottom of the sea. I’m thankful to be alive!”
    “You are different. You are young and full of hope.”
    “But you aren’t old! And you have told me of interesting plansyou have. This is just a mood. It will pass.”
    He smiled too. “Of course it will. I certainly cannot feel downcast when I am near you.”
    The ayah stood near by with the baby in her harms, her pale-coloured robe fluttering about her emaciated figure. It was the first time she had been on deck since her bout of seasickness and she looked scarcely able to stand, let alone carry the child. But her heavy-lidded eyes shone with joy at the sight of the green land and little Augusta held out her hands toward the gulls that came circling about the ship.
    Philip strode down the deck.
    “I have the luggage ready!” he exclaimed. “I’m not leaving any of our valuables on board.”
    “The Captain says they will be safe.”
    “Humph! Anyhow, we shall need our things. This leak isn’t to be mended in a jiffy.”
    “Have you seen my brothers?” she asked. “Have they got their things together?”
    “Here is Sholto to answer for himself.” Philip eyed the boy sternly. He was laden with his belongings, gathered together in a promiscuous fashion.