The man of action does not observe its progress.

Those who are looking forward to some favorite amusement exclaim, "Would that it were to-morrow!" but how many there are that might well ejaculate, from the bottom of their souls, "Would that to-morrow may never arrive!" How, then, could such wishes be met in a way to satisfy all?
A day at length arrived when everything was ready for departure, and when nothing was wanted to weigh anchor but courage on the part of the voyagers.

The pinnace was laden to the gunwale, the compass was in its place, the casks were filled with fresh water from the Jackal River, and Willis reported that both wind and sea were propitious for a start.
The morning of that day was lovely in the extreme.

Willis, Fritz, and Jack were early at Falcon's Nest; the two families breakfasted together under the trees in the open air.

After breakfast an adjournment to the umbrageous shade of the bananas was proposed and agreed to.
"Mother," said Fritz, taking Mrs.Becker's arm, "I want you all to myself." "I object to that, if you please," cried Jack, taking her other arm.
"Why, you boys seem extravagantly fond of your mother to-day," said Mrs.Becker, gaily.
"Well, you see, mother, we have the right to have an idea now and then--Willis has one every week." "So long as your ideas are about myself, I have no reason to object to them," said Mrs.Becker, smiling.
"We have always been dutiful sons, have we not, mother ?" inquired Fritz.
"Yes, always." "You are well pleased with us then ?" "Yes, surely." "We have never caused you any uneasiness, have we ?" inquired Jack.
"That is to say, inadvertently," added Fritz; "designedly is out of the question." "No, not even inadvertently," replied their mother.
"Were you very sorry when Frank and Ernest were going to leave us ?" "Yes, my children, the tears still burn my cheek." "Nevertheless, you knew that it was for the common welfare, and you felt resigned to the separation." "But why do you ask such a question now ?" "Well, _a propos de rien_, mother," replied Jack, "simply because we love you, and, like misers, we treasure your love." Towards the afternoon both families were again assembled under the trees at Falcon's Nest This time it was dinner that brought them together; the repast consisted of cold meats of various kinds, but the chief dish was a wonderful salad, the rich, fresh odor of which perfumed the air.