"You do not know that now, Mr. Dinwiddie?" I said.
"I know there are rocks. If the sea should let you pass them in quiet, it would be a wonder."
That was too true, I knew. I could only be silent.
"I know it is as you say, Mr. Dinwiddie."
"Nothing to avoid the rocks. The helm is not in your hand."
"More than willing," I said, meeting his eye.
"Then the boat will go right," he said, with a sort of accent of relief. "It is the cross pulls with the oar, striving to undo the work of the rudder, that draw the vessel out of her course. The Pilot knows, - if you can only leave it to the Pilot."
"But He sometimes takes the boat into the breakers," Mr. Dinwiddie said.
"What then, Mr. Dinwiddie?" I said, looking up at him. "Then she must be broken to pieces."
"And what then? Can you trust the Pilot still?"
His great eyes were flashing and glittering as he looked at me. No careless nor aimless thought had caused such an interrogatory, I knew. I met the eyes which seemed to be blazing and melting at once, but I answered only by the look.
"You may," he went on, without taking his eyes from mine. "You may trust safely. Even if the vessel is shaken and broken, trust even then, when all seems gone. There shall be smooth waters yet; and a better voyage than if you had gone a less wearisome way."
"Why do you say all this to me, Mr. Dinwiddie?"
"Not because I am a prophet," he said, looking away now, - "for I am none. And if I saw such trials ahead for you, I should have hardly courage to utter them. I asked, to comfort myself; that I might know of a certainty that you are safe, whatever comes."
"I shall stay here," he went on presently, "in the land of my work; and you will be gone to-morrow for other scenes. It isn't likely you will ever see me again. But if ever you need a friend, on the other side of the globe, if you call me, I will come. It is folly to say that, though," he said plucking hastily at a spear of grass; - "you will not need nor think of me. But I suppose you know, Daisy, by this time, that all those who come near you, love you. I am no exception. You must have charity for me."
"Dear Mr. Dinwiddie," I said reaching out my hand, - "if I were in trouble and wanted a friend, there is no one in the world that I would sooner, or - rather, or as soon or as lief, ask to help me. Except -" I added, and could not finish my sentence. For I had remembered there was an exception which ought to be implied somewhere.