Mr. Frazer, a canny¹ Scotchman, somewhat over fifty, was amazed that Mr. Saunders had so far trusted “a mere² boy”; but in his conversation with Guy he found that “the mere boy” was quick and intelligent, and seemed thoroughly³ to comprehend the business on which he was employed.

“You are an extraordinary boy,” he said, raising his glasses, and peering at Guy from under the rims⁴. “How old are you?”

“Seventeen, sir.”

“You seem to have the brains of a man of twenty-five.”

“Thank you, sir. I suppose I may consider that a compliment?”

“Surely. When will you call again? I shall need to have some further words with you.”{164}

“I wish to visit my father, whom I have not seen for six months or more, but I will return to the city in four days.”

“Where does your father live?”

“In Bayport, Massachusetts.”

“Very good. I will expect you in four days. There will be no harm in waiting that length of time.”

“Now,” said Guy to himself, joyfully⁵, “I shall soon be at home.”

He engaged passage by the steamer Pilgrim of the Fall River Line, and started that night.

He found himself the next morning in New Bedford. Here he took a stage for Bayport.

His heart beat with excitement when he reached the borders of his native village. He realized the charms of home.

He had traveled many thousand miles by land and sea, he had seen London and Bombay, but neither of these cities seemed so attractive to him as the obscure town on the Massachusetts coast where he had passed his boyhood days.

The first person whom he saw when he descended⁶ from the stage was Noah Crane.

In fact, Noah had managed to be around when the stage arrived, in the hope of meeting Guy.

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