human
Poor Uncle Richard!
gpt
No, no,--not _poor_! I'm rich, rich!--_so_ rich! O God, help me! I can't believe my own happiness.
human
But it's really I, Uncle Richard! said Noll, assuringly;
gpt
Yes, it is really you, thank God!
human
Yes, and oh, Uncle Richard, you can't know how I longed to see you, to tell you that I was alive and safe! I knew you would worry, but I didn't think you'd think me dead. I didn't think _that_ till we got to Culm, and Dirk and all the rest trembled, and were actually going to run away from me!
gpt
Then you have not been harmed? said Trafford:
human
Safe and sound, with Ned Thorn, at Hastings, Uncle Richard, and not even dreaming of danger or shipwreck. You see, the furniture was not ready, and I hadn't found a teacher, and so I stayed. Ned and I went down to the wharf the night before the 'Gull' was to sail, and carried a letter to the skipper to give to you, telling you why I couldn't come; but poor Ben never got here alive, and the letter was lost with him, I suppose. Oh, Uncle Richard, if I _had_ started,--if the furniture had been ready--
gpt
Thank God it was not! interrupted Trafford, presently;
human
Have--have you found the Lord Jesus, Uncle Richard?
gpt
Yes, he said, with a great calm and peace in his voice,
human
I found him through great sorrow and grief. I think God led me through all this suffering that my heart might be softened and turned toward him. And now this Saviour has brought you back to me!