She had only one thought uppermost--she was going to see her father.
BOOK V
PEG RETURNS TO HER FATHER
CHAPTER I
AFTER MANY DAYS
Frank O'Connell stood on the quay that morning in July, and watched
the great ship slowly swing in through the heads, and his heart beat
fast as he waited impatiently while they moored her.
His little one had come back to him.
His fears were at rest.
She was on board that floating mass of steel and iron, and the giant
queen of the water had gallantly survived storm and wave and was
nestling alongside the pier.
Would she be the same Peg? That was the thought beating through him
as he strained his eyes to see the familiar and beloved little
figure. Was she coming back to him--transformed by the magic wand of
association--a great lady? He could scarcely believe that she WOULD,
yet he had a half-defined fear in his soul that she might not be the
same.
One thing he made up his mind to--never again would he think of
separation. Never again would he argue her into agreeing to go away
from him. He had learned his lesson and by bitter experience. Never
again until SHE wished it.
Amid the throngs swarming down the gangways he suddenly saw his
daughter, and he gave a little gasp of surprised pleasure, and a
mist swam before his eyes and a great lump came into his throat and
his heart beat as a trip-hammer.
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