Explore "Plain Living" by Rolf Boldrewood on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
Barrington Hope could hardly realise the fact, till he found himself actually on board of a mail steamer, that he would have no business cares for the next two years-a whole elysium of rest and recreation. For this respite from the "figure and fact" mill, Laura was deeply grateful, sensible as she had been for some months past that the calculating machine was working under occasional effort.
When the Hubert Stamfords and Hopes bestowed themselves on board the _Lahore_-the last triumph of the Peninsular and Oriental Company-one would have thought all Sydney was coming to say farewell-such was the congregation on the deck and in the magnificent saloon of that noble vessel. Of course the Colonel and Willoughby, Mr. and Mrs. Stamford, and all their Sydney friends turned out on purpose to "see them off" as the phrase is, according to British etiquette on such occasions. Other people-friends and relatives-had come to say farewell to their wives and daughters, sons and sweethearts. Thus many a saddened countenance and tearful eye were to be noted as the great steamer moved slowly astern, and then glided at half-speed down the harbour.