"
"All aboard!"
The word was passed along the line of cars. Kirby took leave of Phil,
into whose hand he had thrust a five-dollar bill, "To buy popcorn on
the train," he said, kissed the boy, and wrung his ex-partner's hand
warmly.
"Good-bye," he said, "and good luck. You'll hear from me soon. We're
partners still, you and I and Mrs. Jerviss."
And though Mr. French smiled acquiescence, and returned Kirby's hand
clasp with equal vigour and sincerity, he felt, as the train rolled
away, as one might feel who, after a long sojourn in an alien land, at
last takes ship for home. The mere act of leaving New York, after the
severance of all compelling ties, seemed to set in motion old currents
of feeling, which, moving slowly at the start, gathered momentum as
the miles rolled by, until his heart leaped forward to the old
Southern town which was his destination, and he soon felt himself
chafing impatiently at any delay that threatened to throw the train
behind schedule time.
"He'll be back in six weeks," declared Kirby, when Mrs. Jerviss and he
next met. "I know him well; he can't live without his club and his
counting room. It is hard to teach an old dog new tricks."
"And I'm sure he'll not stay away longer than three months," said the
lady confidently, "for I have invited him to my house party."
"A privilege," said Kirby gallantly, "for which many a man would come
from the other end of the world."
But they were both mistaken.
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