"When you get hold of the string, you know, John, you can fasten it, and then stand on that large stone opposite, just by where that gentleman is, and hold up the kite, and then I will pull."
All was done accordingly. John did his part well. Jem pulled; the kite rose to the window, and fluttered about, for the thunder had been followed by a high wind, which was felt a little even in this close place, and the boys gazed at it with great pleasure. As it dangled loosely by the window in this manner, the tail became entangled, and John was obliged to run up to help to put it right.
"Let it down to me again when I have run out," said he, as he tried to disentangle it; "and I will stand on the stone, and hold it up, and you can pull again. There's the gentleman still, and now there's a young man besides. The gentleman has made him look up at the kite."
"Come and look, mother," said Jem: but she did not hear. "The young man has such a brown face, and such curly hair."
"And he's like--mother, he is crossing over!" cried John. "He has come into the house!"
The mother heard now. A wild hope rushed through her heart; she started up; a quick step was heard on the stairs; the door flew open, and the next moment she was clasped in her son's arms!
The joy nearly took away her senses. Broken words mingled with tears, thanksgivings, and blessings, were all that were uttered for some time between them. Harry had Jem on his knee, and John pressed close to his side, and was holding his mother tight by the hand, and looking up in her face, when at last they began to believe and understand that they once more saw each other. And then he had to explain how the ship had been disabled by a storm in the South Seas; and how they got her into one of the beautiful islands there, and refitted her, and after six months' delay, brought her back safe and sound, cargo and all; and how he and Uncle Ben were both strong and hearty.
"How well you look, my dear boy!" said the happy mother. "How tall, and stout, and handsome you are!"
"And he's got his curly hair and bright eyes still," said poor wan little Jem, speaking for the first time.
"But you, mother, and all of you, how pale you are, and how thin! I know--yes, don't say it--I know who's gone. I went home last night, mother. I walked all the way to the village, and found the poor cottage empty, and heard how he died."