human
O Ben, he forgives us--he has come for us, cried Ralph with quivering lips.
gpt
Isn’t it too good to believe?
human
Where are we, Mr. Bernard, that we found _you_?
gpt
Ask your good captain. He has gone out of his course, in the kindness of his heart, to do us all a favour.
human
No favour at all, said the captain earnestly, waving his hand in token of disclaiming any obligation on their part,--
gpt
Heard from us! when?
human
We heard by the vessel you hailed the night before the storm.
gpt
Well, now, where did you see _her_?
human
On the rocks just off the lighthouse.
gpt
What! cast away?
human
Yes: she went on the rocks the night of the storm; but the crew were saved, all but one man. They have been over at the lighthouse, waiting to see the last of the wreck, after rescuing all the cargo they could.
gpt
That was an escape for you. If we had had our way, you would have been on that wreck too. How little we know what’s best for us! I’d rather not have the ordering of things if I could. I’d be sure to make a mess of things. God knows best, and that’s true every time.
human
It was fortunate indeed, added Mr. Bernard.
gpt
But we have been more anxious than ever, since Captain Melrose reported you.
human
We didn’t think you would care,
gpt
Why, Ralph, have you been in my school all this time and know me no better than that? There has been no time since the trouble began that I would not have received you gladly if I had known you to be honestly sorry for your fault. You know me better now, I hope.
human
Yes, Mr. Bernard, I could never be afraid of you again; but I mean with all my heart never to do anything again that I shall be ashamed to tell you.
gpt
God grant you his help to keep this resolution. We need his help, my boy; you know that.
human
Yes, I know. I am very sure that _I_ do.
gpt
And you, Ben? asked the teacher, turning to the other boy, who had kept in the background,--
human
Yes, sir, I mean to be true like Joe Chester; and I think you are very good to give us another chance. It is what neither of us expected. We thought our days at your school were over.
gpt
Not yet, I hope,--not till you are ready for college.--Now, how shall we tell your friends you have come?
human
Don’t any of them know it? asked the boys quickly.
gpt
I have been wondering that we heard no noise.
human
No, indeed, no one knows it; but they will soon be astir, and then there will be noise enough, for camp-life has not quieted them down at all.--Captain Dare, if my boys spy the _Una_ they will make an attack upon us that will frighten you, unless you are used to war-whoops.
gpt
I’m not easily scared at a noise,
human
Joe Chester would make nothing of swimming across here,
gpt
No, indeed, and in his delight at your return he would be sure to do something rash,
human
How can he be glad to have us back? asked Ralph with reddening face.
gpt
I am sure I am ashamed to see him, I treated him so shabbily.
human
You may be sure he remembers nothing against you. He has been your warmest friend in camp, and most anxious for your welfare. If I had been ever so harshly inclined toward you, I should have been won by his intercession in your behalf. He was sure all the time that you regretted your course.
gpt
Joe is a good fellow, and he judged me by himself, answered Ralph warmly,
human
Joe is a noble boy, true to the very core; but we must decide quickly how to manage your return to camp.