Thefirewasinthebilliardsaloonsureenough，andthebackportionofthebuildingwasinablazewhentheyreachedit。
　　Ladderswereplacedagainsttheeaves，andalineofmenwithbucketswerepouringwaterontheroof。Thelineextendedtothetownpump，wheretwoenergeticyouthsintheirshirtsleeveswereworkingthehandlewithmightandmain。Thehousesnearathandwerebrilliantlyilluminated，andmenandwomenwerebringingwaterfromtheminbuckets，tinpails，washboilers，andevencoalscuttles。
　　Insidethesaloonanotherhustlingcrowdwasbusilyworkingto”save”Mr。Saunders’property。Adozenofthemembershadturnedthebiggestpooltableoveronitsbackandwereunscrewingthelegs，heedlessofthefactthattoattempttogetthetablethroughthefrontdoorwasanimpossibilityandthat，asthebackdoorwasinthethickestofthefire，it，too，wasoutofthequestion。A
　　manappearedattheopenfrontwindowofthesecondstorywithhisarmsfilledwithbottlesofvariousliquids，”originalpackages”
　　andothers。These，withfeverishenergy，hethrewonebyoneintothestreet，endangeringthelivesofeveryoneinrangeand，ofcourse，breakingeverybottlethrown。Someoneofthecoolerheadscallinghisattentiontothesefacts，heretiredandcarefullypackedalltheemptybottles，theonlyonesremaining，intoapeachbasketandtuggedthelatterdownstairsandtoasafeplaceonaneighboringpiazza。Thenherestedfromhislaborsasonewhohaddoneallthatmightreasonablybeexpected。
　　Mr。Saundershimself，lightlyattiredinanightshirttuckedintoapairoftrousers，wasrushinghereandthere，nowloudlydemandingmorewater，andthenstoppingtoswearatthebottle-throwerorsomeotherenthusiast。”Web’s”smoothnesswasallgone，andthelanguageheusedwas，asAbigailMullettsaidafterward，”enoughtobringdownajedgmentonanybody。”
　　CaptainEricaughthimbythesleeveashewasrunningpastandinquired，”How’ditstart，Web？””How’ditSTART？IknowmightywellHOWitstarted，and’foreI
　　gitthroughI’llknowWHOstartedit。Somebody’llpayforthis，nowyouhearme！Hurryupwiththewater，you——”
　　Hetorefranticallyawaytothepumpandthethreecaptainsjoinedthecrowdofvolunteerfiremen。CaptainEri，runningroundtothebackofthebuilding，tookinthesituationatonce。Backofthemainportionofthesaloonwasanell，anditwasinthisellthatthefirehadstarted。Theell，itself，wasinabrightblaze，butthelargerbuildinginfrontwasonlyjustbeginningtoburn。TheCaptainclimbedoneoftheladderstotheroofandcalledtothemenatworkthere。”Thatshed’sgone，Ben，”hesaid。”Chuckyourwateronthemainparthere。Maybe，ifwehadsomeropeswemightbeabletopulltheshedclear，andthenwecouldsavetherest。””How’dyoufastentheropes？”wasthepantedreply。”She’sallablaze，andaropewouldburnthroughinaminuteifyoutieditanywheres。””GitsomegrapplesandanchorsoutofRogers’shop。He’sgotawholelotof’em。Keeponwiththewaterbus’ness。I’llgittheotherstuff。”
　　Hedescendedtheladderandexplainedhisideatothecrowdbelow。
　　Therewasagreatshoutandtwentymenandboysstartedonarunafterropes，whileasmanymorestormedatthedoorofNathanielRogers’blacksmithshop。Rogerswasthelocaldealerinanchorsandothermarineironwork。Thedooroftheshopwaslockedandtherewasayellforaxestoburstitopen。
　　Thenaroseanagonizedshriekof”Don’tchop！don’tchop！”andMr。
　　Rogershimselfcamestrugglingtothedefenseofhisproperty。Inconcerttheinstantneedwasexplainedtohim，butheremainedunconvinced。”Wecan’tstayherearguin’allnight！”roaredoneoftheleaders。”He’sgottoletusin。Goaheadandchop！I’llholdhim。””Igiveyoufairwarnin’，SquealerWixon！Ifyouchopthatdoor，I’llhavethelawontoyou。Ijusthadthatdoorpainted，and——
　　STOP！I’vegotthekeyinmypocket！”
　　Itwasplainthatthemajoritywerestillinfavorofchopping，asaffordingabetteroutletforsurplusenergy，buttheywaitedwhileMr。Rogers，stillprotesting，producedthekeyandunlockedthedoor。Inanotherminutethegreaterportionoftheironworkintheestablishmentwasonitswaytothefire。
　　Therope-seekerswerejustreturning，ladenwitheverythingfromclothes-linestocables。Halfadozenboatanchorsandagrapnelwerefastenedtoasmanyropes，andthecrowdprancedgaylyabouttheburningell，lookingforachancetomakethemfast。CaptainErifoundapartywithaxesendeavoringtocutaholethroughthesideofthesalooninordertogetoutthepooltable。Aftersomeendeavorhepersuadedthemtodesistandtheycamearoundtotherearand，takingturns，raninclosetotheshedandchoppedatituntilthefiredrovethemaway。Atlasttheymadeaholeclosetowhereitjoinedthemainbuilding，largeenoughtoattachthegrapnel。Then，witha”Yoheaveho！”everyonetookholdoftheropeandpulled。Ofcoursethegrapnelpulledoutwithonlyaboardortwo，buttheytriedagain，and，thistimegettingitaroundabeam，pulledalargeportionoftheshedtotheground。
　　Meanwhile，anotheraxpartyhadattachedananchortotheoppositeside，andweremakinggoodprogress。Induetimetheshedyawnedawayfromthesaloon，tottered，andcollapsedinashowerofsparks。Adelugeofwatersoonextinguishedthese。Theneveryoneturnedtothemainbuilding，and，asthefirehadnotyettakenafirmholdofthis，theysoonhaditundercontrol。
　　CaptainEriworkedwiththerestuntilhesawthattheworstwasover。Thenhebeganthesearchthathadbeeninhismindsincehefirstsawtheblaze。HefoundCaptainJerryandCaptainPerezperspiringlypassingbucketsofwaterfromhandtohandintheline，and，callingthemtooneside，askedanxiously:”HaveeitherofyoufellersseenJohnBaxtertonight？”
　　CaptainPerezlookedsurprised，andthensomeofthetroublediscernibleinEri’sfacewasapparentinhisown。”Why，no，”herepliedslowly，”Iain’tseenhim，nowyouspeakofit。Everybodyintown’shere，too。Queer，ain’tit？”Haven’tyouseenhim，either，Jerry？”
　　CaptainJerryansweredwithashakeofthehead。”Butthen，”hesaid，”Perezandmehavebeenrightherebythepumpeversencewecome。Hemightbe’mostanywhereselse，andwewouldn’tseehim。
　　Wantmetoasksomeoftheotherfellers？””No！”exclaimedhisfriend，almostfiercely。”Don’tyoumentionhisnametoasoul，norlet’emknowyou’vethoughtofhim。Ifanybodyshouldask，tell’emyouguesshe’srightaroundsomewheres。Youtwogittoworkag’in。I’llletyouknowifI
　　wantyou。”
　　Thepairtookuptheirbuckets，andtheCaptainwalkedonfromgrouptogroup，lookingcarefullyateachperson。TheReverendPerleyandsomeofhisflockwerestandingbythemselvesonaneighboringstoop，andtothemthesearcherturnedeagerly。”Why，Cap’nEri！”exclaimedMissBusteed，thefirsttoidentifyhim，”howyou’veworked！Youmustbetiredprettynightodeath。
　　Ain’titawful！Butit’stheLord’sdoin’s；I’mjestassureofthatasIcanbe，andIsayssotoMr。Perley。Didn’tI，Mr。
　　Perley？Isays——””Lookin’foranybody，Cap’n？”interruptedthereverendgentleman。”No，”liedtheCaptaincalmly，”jestwalkin’aroundtogitcooledoffalittle。Good-night。”
　　Therewasthemostlikelyplace，andJohnBaxterwasnotthere。
　　CertainlyeverycitizeninOrham，whowasabletocrawl，wouldbeoutthisnight，andiftheoldpuritanhermitofthebighousewasnotpresenttoexultoverthedownfallofthewicked，itwouldbebecausehewasillorbecause——TheCaptaindidn’tliketothinkoftheotherreason。
　　Mrs。”Web”Saunders，quietlyweeping，wasseatedonaknollnearthepump。ThreeoftheSaunders’hopefuls，alsoweeping，butnotquietly，wereseatedbesideher。Another，theyoungestofthefamily，wasbeingrockedsoothinglyinthearmsofastoutfemale，whowassingingtoitasplacidlyasthoughfireswereaneveryday，ornight，occurrence。TheCaptainpeereddown，andthestoutwomanlookedup。”Why，Mrs。Snow！”exclaimedCaptainEri。
　　TheladyfromNantucketmadenoimmediatereply。Sherose，however，shookdowntheblack”alpaca”skirt，whichhadbeenfoldeduptokeepitoutofthedew，and，stillhummingsoftlytothechild，walkedoffalittleway，motioningwithherheadfortheCaptaintofollow。WhenshehadreachedaspotsufficientlyremotefromMrs。Saunders，shewhispered:”Howd’yedo，Cap’nHedge？Iguessthewustisovernow，isn’tit？
　　Isawyouworkin’withthemropes；youmustbeawfultired。””Howlonghaveyoubeenhere？”askedtheCaptainsomewhatastonishedathercalmness。”Oh，IcomerightdownassoonasIheardthebell。I’mkindofusedtofires。Myhusband’sschoonergotafiretwicewhileIwaswithhim。Heusedtorunacoalvessel，youknow。Igotrightupandpackedmybag，’causeIdidn’tknowhowthefiremightspread。
　　Younevercantellinatownlikethis。Ssh’h，dearie，”tothebaby，”there，there，it’sallright。Laystill。””How’dyougitacquaintedwithher？”noddingtowardthewifeoftheproprietorofthescorchedsaloon。”Oh，Iseethepoorthingsettin’therewithallthemchildrenandnobodypayingmuchattentiontoher，soIwentoverandaskedifI
　　couldn’thelpout。Ihaven’tgotanychildrenofmyown，butIwasnumberthreeinafam’lyoffourteen，soIknowhowit’sdone。Oh！
　　thathusbandofhers！He’saniceone，heis！Wouldyoub’lieveit，hecomealongandshespoketohim，andhesworeathersomethin’dreadful。That’swhyshe’scryin’。Poorcritter，I
　　guessbythelooksshe’susedtoit。Well，IgiveHIMapieceofmymind。Hewentawaywithafleainhisear。Idodespiseaprofanemanaboveallthings。Yes，thebaby’sallright，Mrs。
　　Saunders。I’ma-comin’。Good-night，Cap’nHedge。Is’poseI
　　shallseeyouallinthemornin’。Yououghttobecarefulandnotstandstillmuchthisdampnight。It’sbadwhenyou’rehetupso。”
　　Shewentback，stillsingingtothebaby，towhereMrs。Saunderssat，andtheCaptainlookedafterherinakindofamazedfashion。”Bymighty！”hemuttered，andthenrepeatedit。Thenheresumedhissearch。
　　Herememberedthattherehadbeenanumberofpeopleonthesideoftheburningshedoppositethatonwhichhehadbeenemployed，andhedeterminedtohaveonelooktherebeforegoingtotheBaxterhomestead。AlmostthefirstmanhesawasheapproachedthedyingfirewasRalphHazeltine。Theelectrician’shandsandfacewereblackenedbysoot，andtheperspirationsparkledonhisforehead。”Hello，Captain！”hesaid，holdingouthishand。”Livelyforawhile，wasn’tit？Theytellmeyouwerethemanwhosuggestedpullingdowntheshed。Itsavedtheday，allrightenough。””Youlookasifyou’dbeenworkin’someyourself。Wasyouoneofthefellersthatgotthatanchorinonthisside？””HewasTHEone，”brokeinMr。Wingate，whowasstandingatHazeltine’selbow。”HewadedinwithanaxandstayedtheretillI
　　thoughthe’dburnthehairoffhishead。Weboughttopayyouandhimsalvage，Eri。Thewholecraftwouldhavegoneupifithadn’tbeenforyoutwo。””Iwonderiftheygotthatpooltableout，”laughedRalph。”Theydideverythingbutsawitintochunks。””IneversawBlueyBacheldorworksoafore，”commentedtheCaptain。”Iwishsomebody’dtookaphotographofhim。I’llbetyoucouldsell’emroundtownforcuriosities。Well，Ican’tbestandin’
　　here。””Ifyou’regoinghomeI’llgoalongwithyou。Imayaswellbegettingdowntowardthestation。Theexcitementisaboutover。””Iain’tgoin’righthome，Mr。Hazeltine。I’vegotanerrandtodo。Prob’lyI’llbegoin’prettysoon，though。””Oh，allright！I’llwaithereawhilelongerthen。Seeyoulaterperhaps。”
　　ThefoghadliftedsomewhatandastheCaptain，runningsilently，turnedintothe”shoreroad，”hesawthatthelightintheBaxterhomesteadhadnotbeenextinguished。Theschoolhousebellhadceasedtoring，andtheshoutsofthecrowdatthefiresoundedfaintly。Therewerenoothersounds。
　　UpthedrivewayCaptainErihurried。Therewerenolightsinthelowerpartofthehouseandthedining-roomdoorwaslocked。Thekitchendoor，however，wasnotfastenedandtheCaptainopeneditandentered。Shuttingitcarefullybehindhim，hegropedalongtotheentranceofthenextroom。”John！”hecalledsoftly。Therewasnoanswer，andthehousewasperfectlystillsaveforthetickingofthebigclock。CaptainEriscratchedamatchandbyitslightclimbedthestairs。Hisfriend’sroomwasempty。ThelampwasburningonthebureauandaBiblewasopenbesideit。Thebedhadnotbeensleptin。
　　Thoroughlyalarmednow，theCaptain，lampinhand，wentthroughoneroomaftertheother。JohnBaxterwasnotathome，andhewasnotwiththecrowdatthefire。Wherewashe？Therewas，ofcourse，achancethathisfriendhadpassedhimonthewayorthathehadbeenatthefire，afterall，butthisdidnotseempossible。
　　However，therewasnothingtodobutgoback，andthistimetheCaptaintookthepathacrossthefields。
　　TheBaxterhousewasonthe”shoreroad，”andthebilliardroomandpost-officewereonthe”mainroad。”PeopleinahurrysometimesavoidedthecornerbyclimbingthefenceoppositetheBaxtergate，goingthroughtheDawes’pastureandoverthelittlehillbackoftheliverystable，andcomingoutintherearofthepost-officeandclosetothesaloon。
　　CaptainEri，worried，afraidtothinkofthefireanditscause，andonlyanxioustoascertainwherehisfriendwasandwhathehadbeendoingthatnight，trottedthroughthepastureandoverthehill。Justashecametothebayberrybushesontheothersidehestumbledandfellflat。
　　Heknewwhatitwasthathehadstumbledoverthemomentthathefellacrossit，andhisfingerstrembled，sothathecouldscarcelyscratchthematchthathetookfromhispocket。Butitwaslightedatlastand，asitstinyblazegrewbrighter，theCaptainsawJohnBaxterlyingfacedownwardinthepath，hisheadpointedtowardhishomeandhisfeettowardthebilliardsaloon。
　　CHAPTERVII
　　CAPTAINERIFINDSANURSE
　　Forasecond，only，CaptainEristoodtheremotionless，stoopingoverthebodyofhisfriend。Thenhesprangintovigorousaction。
　　Hedroppeduponhiskneesand，seizingtheshoulderoftheprostratefigure，shookitgently，whispering，”John！John！”
　　Therewasnoanswerandnoresponsivemovement，andtheCaptainbenthisheadandlistened。Breathwasthereandlife；but，oh，solittleofeither！Thenextthoughtwas，ofcourse，torunforhelpandforadoctor，buthetookbutafewstepswhenanewideastruckhimandhecameback。
　　Lightinganothermatchheexaminedthefallenmanhurriedly。Theold”Come-Outer”layinthepathwithhisarmsoutstretched，asifhehadfallenwhilerunning。Hewasbare-headed，andtherewasnosignofawounduponhim。Onecoat-sleevewasbadlyscorched，andfromapocketinthecoatprotrudedtheneckofabottle。Thebottlewasempty，butitsodorwasstrong；ithadcontainedkerosene。Theevidencewasclear，andtheCaptainknewthatwhathehadfearedwasthetruth。
　　Foramomenthestooderectandponderedastowhatwasbesttodo。
　　Whateveritwas，itmustbedonequickly，butifthedoctorandthosethatmightcomewithhimshouldfindtheburnedcoatandthetell-talebottle，itwerebetterforJohnBaxterthatconsciousnessandlifeneverwerehisagain。Theremight，andprobablywould，besuspicion；butherewasproofabsolutethatmeantprisonanddisgraceforamanwhomallthecommunityhadhonoredandrespected。
　　CaptainEriweighedthechances，speculatedontheresult，andthendidwhatseemedtohimright。Hethrewthebottleasfarawayfromthepathashecouldandthenstrippedoffthecoat，and，foldingitintoasmallbundle，hiditinthebushesnearby。Thenheliftedthelimpbody，andturneditsothatthegrayheadwastowardthebilliardsalooninsteadoffromit。
　　PerezandJerrywerestillbusywiththewaterbucketswhentheirfriendcamepantinguptheknolltothepump。”Hello，Eri！”saidtheformer，wipinghisforeheadwithhisarm。”It’s’boutout，ain’tit？Why，what’sthematter？””Nothin’；nothin’tospeakof。Putdownthembuckets，andyouandJerrycomewithme。I’vegotsomethin’thatIwantyoutodo。”
　　Noddingandexchangingcongratulationswithacquaintancesinthecrowdonthesuccessofthefire-fighting，CaptainEriledhismessmatestoadarkcornerunderaclumpoftrees。Thenhetookeachofthembythearmandwhisperedsharply:”Dr。Palmer’ssomewheresinthiscrowd。Iwanteachofyoufellerstogodiff’rentwaysandlookforhim。Whicheveronefindshimfustcanbringhimuptothecornerbythepost-office。Whistlewhenyougitthereandtherestofus’llcome。Don’tstoptoaskquestions。Iain’thurt，butJohnBaxter’shadastrokeorsomethin’。Ican’ttellyounomorenow。Hurry！Andsay，don’tyoumentiontoasoulwhatthematteris。”
　　Asea-faringlifehasitsadvantages。Itteachespromptobedience，foronething。Thetwomarinersdidnothesitateaninstant，butboltedinoppositedirections。CaptainEriwatchedthemgo，andthensetoffinanother。Hewasstoppedeveryfewmomentsandallsortsofquestionsandcommentsconcerningthefireanditscausewerefiredathim，butheputoffsomeinquirieswithacurt”Don’tknow”andotherswithnodsornegatives，andthreadedhiswayfromoneclumpoftownspeopletoanother。Ashecameclosetotheblackenedandsmokingbilliardsaloon，RalphHazeltinecaughthimbythearm。”Hello！”saidtheelectrician。”Haven’tyougonehomeyet？””No，notyit。Say，I’llaskyou，’causeIcal’lateyoucankeepyourmouthshutifit’snecessary:HaveyouseentheDoctoranywheres’roundlately？Hewashere，’causeIsawhimwhenIfustcome。””Who，Dr。Palmer？No；Ihaven’tseenhim。Isanyonehurt？CanI
　　help？””Iguessnot。JohnBaxter’ssick，but——oh，Lord！HerecomesWingate。He’lltalkforaweek。”
　　Seth，pantingandexcited，waspushinghiswaytowardthem，shoutingtheCaptain’snameatthetopofhisvoice。”Hey，Eri！”hehailed。”Iwanttoknowifyou’llsignapetitiontogitthetownafireingyne？I’vebeentalkin’toacoupleofthes’lectmenandthey——””Oh，Mr。Wingate，”interruptedRalph，”Mr。Mullett’sbeenlookingforyou。He’sovertherebythepump，Ithink。””Who，LemMullett？Isthatso！He’sjestthefellerIwanttosee。Seeyoulater，Eri。”
　　TheCaptaingrinnedappreciativelyastheconverttothehand-
　　engineproposaldisappeared。”Thatwasn’tsobad，”hesaid。”I’mmuchobliged。Hey！There’sthewhistle。Comeon，Mr。Hazeltine，ifyouain’tinaspecialhurry。MaybeweWILLneedyou。”
　　Theyreachedthecornerbythepost-officetofindDr。Palmer，whohadpracticedmedicineinOrhamsincehereceivedhisdiploma，waitingforthem。CaptainPerez，whohaddiscoveredthephysicianontheNickersonpiazza，wasstandingclosebywithhisfingersinhismouth，whistlingwiththeregularityofafoghorn。”Cutitshort，Perez！”commandedEri。”We’reherenow。””Yes，butJerryain’t。”Andthewhistlingbeganagain。”Dryup，fortheland’ssake！D’youwanttofetchthewholetribehere？There’sJerry，now。Comeon，Doctor。”
　　JohnBaxterwaslyingjustastheCaptainhadlefthim，andtheotherswatchedanxiouslyasthedoctorlistenedatthepartedlips，andthrusthishandinsidethefadedbluewaistcoat。”He’salive，”hesaidafteramoment，”butunconscious。Wemustgethimhomeatonce。””Heheardthebellandwasrunnin’tothefirewhenhewastook，”
　　saidCaptainJerry。”Runoutinhisshirtsleeves，andwastookwhenhegotasfurashere。””That’sthewayIfiggerit，”saidEriunblushingly。”Lifthimcarefully，youfellers。Nowthen！””Iwarnedhimagainstover-exertionorexcitementmonthsago，”saidtheDoctor，astheyborethesenselessburdentowardthebighouse，nowasblackasthegravethatwassonearitsowner。”Wemustfindsomeonetotakecareofhimatonce。Idon’tbelievetheoldmanhasarelationwithinahundredmiles。””Whydon’twetakehimtoourhouse？”suggestedCaptainJerry。”’Twouldn’tseemsoplagueylonesome，anyhow。””Bymighty！”ejaculatedCaptainEriinastonishment。”Well，Jerry，I’llbeswitchedifyouain’trightdownbrilliantonceinawhile。
　　Ofcoursewewill。Hecanhavethespareroom。Whydidn’tIthinkofthat，Iwonder？”
　　AndsoJohnBaxter，whohadnotpaidavisitinhisnativevillagesincehiswifedied，cameatlasttohisfriend’shometopaywhatseemedlikelytobeafinalone。Theycarriedhimupthestairstothespareroom，asdismalandcheerlessasspareroomsinthecountrygenerallyare，undressedhimastenderlyastheirroughhandswouldallow，robedhiminoneofCaptainJerry’snightshirts——
　　thebuttonsthatfastenedithadbeensewedonbytheCaptainhimself，andwereallsizesandcolors——andlaidhiminthebigcordedbedstead。TheDoctorhastenedawaytoprocurehismedicinecase。RalphHazeltine，havingbeenprofuselythankedforhisservicesandpromisingtocallthenextday，wentbacktothestation，andthethreecaptainssatdownbythebedsidetowatchandwait。
　　CaptainEriwastoomuchperturbedtotalk，buttheothertwo，althoughsympatheticallysorryforthesufferer，wereburstingwithexcitementandcuriosity。”Well，ifTHISain’tbeenanight！”exclaimedCaptainJerry。”Seem’sifeverythinghappenedatonce。Fustthatdarkyandthenthefireandthenthis。Don’titbeatall？”Eri，”saidCaptainPerezanxiously，”wasJohnlayin’jestthesamewaywhenyoufoundhimashewaswhenwecome？””Rightinthesameplace，”wastheanswer。”Ididn’tsayinthesameplace。Iaskedifhewaslayin’thesameway。””Hehadn’tmovedamuscle。Laidjestasifhewasdead。”
　　ItwillbenoticedthatCaptainEriwasadheringstrictlytothetruth。Luckily，Perezseemedtobesatisfied，forheaskednofurtherquestions，butobserved，”It’sagoodthingwe’vegotacrowdtoswearhowwefoundhim。There’saheapoffolksinthistownwouldbesayin’hesetthatfireif’twa’n’tforthat。””Someof’emwillbesayin’itanyhow，”remarkedJerry。”Somefolks’llsayanythingbuttheirprayers，”snappedErisavagely。”Theywon’tsayitwhileI’maround。Andlookhere！ifyouhearanybodysayin’it，youtell’emit’salie。Ifthatdon’tkeep’emquiet，letmeknow。””Oh，allright。WEknowhedidn’tsetit。Iwasjestsayin’——””Well，don’tsayit。””My，you’retechy！Guessfiresandcoloredfolksdon’tagreewithyou。Whatarewegoin’todonow？IfJohndon’tdie，andtheLordknowsIhopehewon’t，he’slikelytobesickherealongspell。
　　Whoarewegoin’togittotakecareofhim？That’swhatIwanttoknow。Somebody’sgottodoitandweain’tfit。IfJerry’donlygiveinandgitmarriednow——”
　　ButCaptainJerry’sprotestagainstmatrimonywasasobstinateasever。EvenPerezgaveupurgingafterawhileandconversationlaggedagain。InafewminutestheDoctorcameback，andhisexaminationofthepatientanddemandsforglassesofwater，teaspoons，andthelike，keptPerezandJerrybusy。ItwassometimebeforetheynoticedthatCaptainErihaddisappeared。Eventhentheydidnotpaymuchattentiontothecircumstance，butwatchedthephysicianatworkandquestionedhimconcerningthenatureoftheirguest’sillness。”D’youthinkhe’lldie，Doctor？”inquiredJerryinahushedvoice，astheycameoutofthesickroomintotheconnectingchamber。”Can’tsay。Hehashadastrokeofparalysis，andthereseemtobeothercomplications。IfheregainsconsciousnessIshallthinkhehasachance，butnotaverygoodone。Hispulseisalittlestronger。Idon’tthinkhe’lldieto-night，butifheliveshewillneedagoodnurse，andIdon’tknowofoneintown。””Normeneither，”saidCaptainPerez。”Well，A’ntZubymightcome，”suggestedJerry，”butIshouldhatetohavehernussme，andasforbein’WELLinahousewhereshewas——whew！””A’ntZuby！”sneeredhismessmate。”IfLorenzohadafitandtheycalledA’ntZubyhe’dhaveanotheroneanddie。A’ntZuby！I’d’boutassoonhaveM’lissyandbedonewithit。””Yes，Idon’tdoubtYOUWOULD，”wastheanythingbutgentleretort。
　　WhatPerezwouldhavesaidtothisthrustmustbesurmised，forjustthenthedining-roomdooropenedandclosedagain。”There’sEri，”saidCaptainJerry。Thenheaddedinanalarmedwhisper，”Whoonairthhashegotwithhim？”
　　Theyheardtheirfriend’svoicewarningsomeonetobecarefulofthetopstep，andthenthechamberdooropenedandCaptainEriappeared。Therewerebeadsofperspirationonhisforehead，andhewascarryingashabbycanvasextension-case。CaptainJerrygazedattheextension-casewithbulgingeyes。
　　CaptainEriputdowntheextension-caseandopenedthedoorwide。
　　Awomancamein；astoutwomandressedinblack”alpaca”andwearingbrass-rimmedspectacles。CaptainJerrygaspedaudibly。”Dr。Palmer，”saidCaptainEri，”letmemakeyouacquaintedwithMrs。SnowofNantucket。Mrs。Snow，thisisDr。Palmer。”
　　TheDoctorandtheladyfromNantucketshookhands，theformerwithapuzzledexpressiononhisface。”Perez，”continuedtheCaptain，”letmemakeyouknowntoMrs。
　　Snow——Mrs。MarthyB。Snow，”——thiswithespecialemphasis，——”ofNantucket。Mrs。Snow，thisisCap’nPerezRyder。”
　　Theyshookhands；CaptainPerezmanagedtosaythathewasgladtomeetMrs。Snow。CaptainJerrysaidnothing，buthelookedlikeacriminalawaitingthefallofthedrop。”Doctor，”continuedtheCaptain，payingnoattentiontothesignalsofdistressdisplayedbyhisfriend，”IheardyousayaspellagothatJohnhereneededsomebodytotakecareofhim。Well，Mrs。
　　Snow——she’sa——a——sortofrelationofJerry’s”——justasuspicionofasmileaccompaniedthisassertion——”andshe’sdoneconsid’rablenussin’inhertime。I’vebeentalkin’thethingoverwithherandshe’swillin’tolookoutforJohntillhegitsbetter。”
　　Thephysicianadjustedhiseyeglassesandlookedthevolunteernurseoverkeenly。Theladypaidnoattentiontothescrutiny，butcalmlyremovedherbonnetandplaceditonthebureau。TheroomwasCaptainEri’s，andthegeneraldisarrangementofeverythingmovablewasonlyalittlelessmarkedthaninthoseofhiscompanions。Mrs。Snowglancedovertheheapofoddsandendsonthebureauandpickedupacomb。Thereweresometeethinit，buttheyweredistantneighbors。”Idon’tusethatcombverymuch，”saidCaptainEriratherapologetically。”Igin’rallyusetheonedownstairs。”
　　Thenew-foundrelativeofCaptainJerrysaidnothing，but，layingdowntheruin，marchedovertotheextension-case，openedit，andtookoutanothercomb——awholeone。Withthisshearrangedthehaironherforehead。It，thehair，waspartedinthemiddleanddrawnbacksmoothlyatthesides，andCaptainErinoticedthatitwasbrownwithalittlegrayinit。Whenthelaststraywispwasinplace，sheturnedcalmlytotheDoctorandsaid:”Cap’nBaxter’sinhere，Is’pose。ShallIwalkrightin？”
　　Themanofmedicineseemedalittlesurprisedatthelady’scommandofthesituation，buthesaid:”Why，yes，ma’am；Iguessyoumay。Youhavenursedbefore，IthinktheCaptainsaid。””Fiveyearswithmyhusband。Hehadslowconsumption。Beforethatwithmymother，andmostofmybrothersandsistersatonetimeoranother。I’veseenconsid’rablesicknessallmylife。Moreofthatthananythingelse，Iguess。Now，ifyou’llcomeinwithme，so’stotellmeaboutthemedicineandsoon。”
　　Withashort”Humph！”thephysicianfollowedherintothesickroom，whilethethreemarinersgazedwide-eyedinatthedoor。
　　Theywatched，asDoctorPalmerexplainedmedicinesandgavedirections。Itdidnotneedanexperttoseethatthenewnurseunderstoodherbusiness。
　　WhentheDoctorcameouthisfaceshonewithgratification。”She’lldo，”hesaidemphatically。”Ifallyourrelativesarelikethat，Cap’nBurgess，I’dliketoknow’em；’twouldhelpmeinmybusiness。”Thenheaddedinresponsetoaquestion，”Heseemstobealittlebetterjustnow。Ithinktherewillbenochangeforawhile；ifthereshouldbe，sendforme。I’llcallinthemorning。
　　Gracious！it’salmostdaylightnow。”
　　Theysawhimtothedoorandthencamebackupstairs。Mrs。Snowwasbusy，arrangingthepillows，settingtheroominsomethinglikeorder，andcaringforherpatient’sgarments，thathadbeentossedhelter-skelteronthefloorinthehurryofundressing。ShecametothedoorastheyenteredCaptainEri’schamber。”Mrs。Snow，”saidtheCaptain，”you’dbettersleepinmyroomherelong’syoustay。I’llbunkinwithPerezdownstairs。I’llgitmydunnageoutofhererightoff。Ithinklikelyyou’llwanttocleanupsome。”
　　TheladyfromNantucketglancedatthebureautopandseemedabouttosaysomething，butcheckedherself。Whatshedidsaywas:”P’rapsyou’dbetterintroducemetoCap’nBurgess。Idon’tthinkwe’veevermet，ifweARErelations。”
　　CaptainEriactuallyblushedalittle。”Why，ofcourse，”hesaid。”Excuseme，ma’am。Jerry，thisisMrs。Snow。Idon’tknowwhat’sgotintome，bein’socareless。”
　　Thesacrificeshookthenurse’shandandsaidsomething，nobodyknewexactlywhat。Mrs。Snowwentontosay，”Now，Iwantyoumentogorightontobed，forIknowyou’realltuckeredout。Wecantalkto-morrow——Imeanto-day，ofcourse:Iforgot’twasnext-doortodaylightnow。IshallsetupwithCap’nBaxter，andifIneedyouI’llcallyou。I’llcallyouanywaywhenIthinkit’stime。
　　Good-night。”
　　Theyprotested，ofcourse，buttheladywouldnotlisten。Shecalmlyseatedherselfintherockerbythebedandwavedtothemtogo，whichtwoofthemreluctantlydidafterawhile。Theotheronehadgonealready。Itwouldbesuperfluoustomentionhisname。
　　DownstairsagainandinPerez’roomCaptainEricameinforaquestioningthatbadefairtokeepupforever。Heshutoffallinquiries，however，withtheannouncementthathewouldn’ttellthemawordaboutittillhe’dhadsomesleep。Thenhewouldexplainthewholething，andtheycoulddecidewhetherhehaddonerightornot。Therewereallsortsofthingstobeconsidered，hesaid，andtheyhadbettertakeanapnowwhiletheycould。”Well，I’djestliketoaskyouthis，EriHedge，”demandedCaptainJerry。”WhatintimedidyoutelltheDoctorthatshewasarelationofminefor？Thatwasanicethingtodo，wa’n’tit？
　　I’llhavetoanswermorefoolquestions’boutthatthanalittle。
　　WhatsortofarelationshallItellfolkssheis？Jesttellmethat，willyou？””Oh，tell’emshe’sarelationbymarriage，”wastheanswer，muffledbythebedclothes。”Maybethat’llbetruebythetimetheyaskyou。””I’llBETitwon’t！”snortedtherebel。
　　CaptainPerezfellasleepalmostimmediately。CaptainJerry，tiredout，didthesame，butCaptainEri’seyesdidnotclose。Thesurfpoundedandgrumbled。Arooster，earlyastir，crowedsomewhereinthedistance。Danielthumpedthesideofhisstallandthensubsidedforanothernap。Thegraymorninglightbrightenedthewindowofthelittlehouse。
　　ThenCaptainErislidsilentlyoutofbed，dressedwithelaborateprecautionsagainstnoise，putonhiscap，andtiptoedoutofthehouse。Hewalkedthroughthedrippinggrass，climbedthebackfenceandhurriedtothehillwhereJohnBaxterhadfallen。Oncethere，helookedcarefullyaroundtobesurethatnoonewaswatching。Orham，asarule，isanearlyriser，butthismorningmostoftheinhabitants，havingbeenupforthegreaterpartofthenight，weremakinguplostsleepandtheCaptainwasabsolutelyalone。
　　Assuredofthis，heturnedtothebushunderneathwhichhehadhiddentheburnedcoat，pushedasidethedrenchedboughswiththeirfadingleavesandreacheddownforthetell-talegarment。
　　Andthenhemadeanunpleasantdiscovery。Thecoatwasgone。
　　Hespentanagitatedquarterofanhourhuntingthrougheveryclumpofbushesintheimmediatevicinity，buttherewasnodoubtofit。
　　Someonehadbeentherebeforehimandhadtakenthecoataway。
　　CHAPTERVIII
　　HOUSEKEEPERANDBOOKAGENT
　　TherewasaknockonthedoorofCaptainPerez’ssleepingapartment。”Cap’nHedge，”saidMrs。Snow，”Cap’nHedge！I’msorrytowakeyouup，butit’s’mostteno’clockand——””What？Teno’clock！Godfreyscissors！Ofallthelazy——I’llbeoutinajiffy。Perez，turnoutthere！Turnout，Itellyou！”
　　CaptainErihadfallenasleepintherockerwherehehadseatedhimselfuponhisreturnfromthefruitlesssearchforthecoat。
　　Hehadhadnointentionofsleeping，buthewastiredafterhisstrenuousworkatthefire，andhaddroppedoffinthemidstofhisworry。Hesprangtohisfeet，andtriedtoseparatedreamsfromrealities。”Landoflove，Perez！”heejaculated。”Hereyouandmehavebeensleepin’ha’ftheforenoon。We’doughttobeashamedofourselves。
　　Let’sgitdressedquicker’nchainlightnin’。””Dressed？”queriedPerez，sittingupinbed。”Ishouldthinkyouwasdressednow，bootsandall。Whatareyoutalkin’’bout？”
　　TheCaptainglanceddownathisclothesandseemedasmuchsurprisedashisfriend。Hemanagedtopullhimselftogether，however，andstammered:”Dressed？Oh，I’mdressed，ofcourse。It’syouI’mtryin’togitsomelifeinto。””Well，whydidn’tyoucallafeller，’steadofgittin’upanddressin’allbyyourself。Ineverseesuchacritter。Where’smysocks？”
　　ToavoidfurtherperplexingquestionsCaptainEriwentintothediningroom。Thetablewasset，reallyset，withacleanclothanddishesthatshone。Theknivesandforkswerearrangedbytheplates，notpiledinaheapforeachmantohelphimself。TheCaptaingasped。”Well，Iswantoman！”hesaid。”HasJerryhadafitorwhat’sstruckhim？Iain’tseenhimdoanythinglikethisforIdon’tknowwhen。””Oh，Cap’nBurgessdidn’tfixthetable，ifthat’swhatyoumean，”
　　saidthenewnurse。”Cap’nBaxterseemedtobesleepin’orinastuporlike，andtheDoctor，whenhecome，saidImightleavehimlongenoughtorundownstairsforafewminutes，so——””TheDoctor？HastheDoctorbeenherethismornin’？””Yes，hecome’boutanhourago。Now，ifyouwouldn’tmindgoin’
　　upandstayin’withCap’nBaxterforafewminuteswhileIfinishgettin’breakfast。I’vebeenupanddownsomanytimesinthelastha’fhour，Idon’tknow’sI’msartinwhetherI’monmyheadormyheels。”
　　TheCaptainwentupstairsinadazedstate。Ashepassedthroughwhathadbeenhisroomhevaguelynoticedthatthebureautopwasclean，andthatmostoftherubbishthathadornamentedithaddisappeared。
　　Thesickmanlayjustashehadlefthim，hiswhitefaceascolorlessasthecleanpillowcaseagainstwhichitrested。
　　CaptainErirememberedthatthepillowcasesinthespareroomhadlookedalittleyellowthenightbefore，possiblyowingtothefactthat，astheroomhadnotbeenoccupiedformonths，theyhadnotbeenchanged。HereasonedthattheimprovementwasanotheroneofthereformsinstitutedbytheladyfromNantucket。
　　Hesatdownintherockerbythebedandthought，withashiver，ofthemissingcoat。Therewereninechancesoutoftenthatwhoeverfounditwouldrecognizeitasbelongingtotheold”Come-Outer。”
　　Thecontentsofthepocketwouldbealmostcertaintorevealthesecretifthecoatitselfdidnot。Itremainedtobeseenwhothefinderwasandwhathewoulddo。Meanwhiletherewasnouseworrying。HavingcometothisconclusiontheCaptain，withcustomaryphilosophy，resolvedtothinkofsomethingelse。
　　Mrs。Snowenteredandannouncedthatbreakfastwasreadyandthathemustgodownatonceandeatitwhileitwashot。She，havingbreakfastedsometimebefore，wouldstaywiththepatientuntilthemealwasover。CaptainEriatfirstflatlydeclinedtolistentoanysucharrangement，butthecalminsistenceoftheNantucketvisitorprevailedasusual。TheCaptainrealizedthatthecapacityfor”bossin’things，”thathehaddiscernedintheletter，wasevenmoreapparentintheladyherself。Onethinghedidinsistupon，however，andthiswasthatMrs。Snowshould”turnin”assoonasbreakfastwasover。Oneofthethreewouldtakethewatchinthesickroomwhiletheothertwowashedthedishes。Thenursewasinclinedtobalkonthedishwashingproposition，sayingthatshecoulddoitherselfaftershehadhadawinkortwo，butthistheCaptainwouldn’thearof。Hewentaway，however，withanunsettledconvictionthat，althoughheandhispartnersmightwashthedishes，Mrs。Snowwouldwashthemagainassoonasshehadanopportunity。”Shedidn’tsayso，butshesortoflookedit，”heexplainedafterward。
　　Hefoundhisfriendsseatedatthetableandfeastingonhotbiscuits，eggs，andclear，appetizingcoffee。Theygreetedhimjoyously。”Hey，Eri！”hailedCaptainPerez。”Ain’tthisgay？Lookatthemeggs；b’iledjesttoaT。Ain’tmuchlikeJerry’sh’afrawkind。””Humph！Youneedn’tsaynothin’，Perez，”observedCaptainJerry，hismouthfullofbiscuit。”Whenyouwascook，youallersb’iled’emsohardthey’ddentthebarnifyou’dfired’ematit。How’sJohn，Eri？”
　　CaptainErigavehisandtheDoctor’sopinionofhisfriend’sconditionandthensaid，”Now，we’vegottohavesomekindofasettlementonthismarryin’question。Lastnight，whenIwasupintheroomthere，itcomeacrostmeallofasuddenthat，fromwhatI’dseenofthisNantucketwoman，she’dbejestthesortofnursethatJohnneeded。SoIskippedoutwhileyoufellerswasbusywiththeDoctor，foundheratthehotel，explainedthingstoher，andgothertocomedown。That’sallthereistothat。Iain’tmadenoarrangementwithher，andsomethin’sgottobedone。Whatdoyouthinkofher，jedgin’bywhatyou’veseen？”
　　CaptainPerezgaveitashisopinionthatshewas”allright，”andadded，”IfJerryherewa’n’tsopigheadedallatonce，he’dmarryherwithoutwaitin’anotherminute。”
　　Erinodded。”That’smyidee，”hesaidemphatically。
　　ButCaptainJerrywasasobstinateasever。Hesimplywouldnotconsiderimmediatemarriage。Invainhiscomradesremindedhimoftheoriginalcompact，andthefactthatthevotewastwotooneagainsthim；heannouncedthathehadchangedhismind，andthatthatwasalltherewasaboutit。
　　AtlengthCaptainErilostpatience。”Jerry，”heexclaimed，”youremindmeofthatoldwhitehenweusedtohave。Whenwedidn’twanthertosetshe’dsetonanythingfromadoorknobtoarock，couldn’tkeepheroff；butwhenwegiveinfinallyandgotasettin’ofeggsforher，shewouldn’tcomenigherto’emthantheotherendofthehen-yard。Nowyoumightaswellmakeupyourmindthatsomethin’sgottobedone。ThisMrs。Snowain’tnobody’sfool。Weputoutabaitthatanybodywithsensewouldsaycouldn’tcatchnothin’butsculpin，and，bymighty，wehookedahalibut！Ifthewomanwasanythinglikewhatyou’dthinkshe’dbe，answerin’anadvertisementlikethat，I’dbethefusttosaylethergo，butsheain’t；she’sallright，andweneedhertonussJohnbesides。””Tellyouwhatwemightdo，”saidPerezslowly；”wemightexplaintoherthatJerrydon’tfeelthat’twouldberighttothinkofmarryin’withCap’nBaxtersosickinthehouseandthat，ifshe’swillin’，we’llputitofftillhediesorgetsbetter。Meantime，we’llpayhersomuchtostayhereandnuss。Seemstomethat’sabouttheonlywayoutofit。”
　　SotheyagreedtolaythisproposalbeforetheNantucketlady，CaptainJerryreluctantlyconsenting。ThenCaptainEritookupanothersubject。
　　JohnBaxter，ashasbeensaid，hadonerelative，agranddaughter，livingsomewherenearBoston。CaptainErifeltthatthisgranddaughtershouldbenotifiedoftheoldman’sillnessatonce。
　　Thedifficultywasthatnoneofthemknewtheyounglady’saddress。”Herfustname’sElizabeth，sameashermotherswas，”saidEri，”andherdad’snamewasPreston。TheycalledherElsie。Johnusedtowritetohereveryonceinawhile。P’rapsSamwouldknowwhereshelived。””Jest’causeSam’spostmaster，”observedPerez，”itdon’tfollerthathereadsthenameoneveryletterthatgoesoutandremembers’embesides。””Well，ifhedon’t，”saidCaptainJerrydecidedly，”MaryEmmadoes。
　　Shereadseverything，postalsandall。”
　　MissMaryEmmaCahoonwastheassistantatthepost-office，andwaspossessedofawell-developedcuriosityconcerningotherpeople’scorrespondence。”Humph！”exclaimedCaptainEri，”that’sso。We’llwritetheletter，andI’llaskMaryEmmafortheaddresswhenIgouptomailit。”
　　SoCaptainPerezwentupstairstotakeMrsSnow’splaceasnurse，whilethatlady”turnedin。”CaptainJerrywentintothekitchentowashthedishes，andCaptainErisatdowntowritethenotethatshouldinformElizabethPrestonofhergrandfather’sillness。Itwasaveryshortnote，andmerelystatedthefactwithoutfurtherinformation。Havinghadsomeexperienceinthatline，theCaptainplacedverylittlerelianceuponthehelptobeexpectedfromrelatives。
　　Dr。Palmerhadspreadthenewsashewentuponhisroundofvisitsthatmorning，andcallersbegantodropintoinquireafterthesickman。MissBusteedwasoneofthefirstarrivals，and，asCaptainErihadseenherthroughthewindow，hewentupstairsandtookPerez’placeastemporarynurse。ToPerez，therefore，fellthedelightfultaskofentertainingthevolublefemaleforsomethinglikeanhour，whileshetalkedfire，paralysis，andgeneralgossipatexpressspeed。
　　RalphHazeltinecameinalittlelater，andwasintroducedtoMrs。
　　Snow，thatlady’snaphavingbeenbutashortone。Ralphwasfavorablyimpressedwiththecapableappearanceofthenewnurse，andsoexpressedhimselftoCaptainEriastheywalkedtogethertowardthepost-office。”Ilikeher，”hesaidemphatically。”She’squietandsensibleandcheerfulbesides。Shelooksasiftroubledidn’ttroubleherverymuch。””Ijedgeshe’sseenenoughofitinhertime，too，”observedtheCaptainreflectively。”Queerthinghowtroubleactsdifferentonfolks。Kindoflikehotweather，soursmilk，butsweetensapples。
　　She’soneofthesweetenedkind。Andyet，Ical’lateshecanbeprettysharp，too，ifyoutrytotreadonhertoes。Sortofasweetpickle，hey？”andhelaughed。
　　MissCahoonrememberedthePrestongirl’saddress。ItwasCambridge，KirklandStreet，butthenumber，shediddeclare，hadskippedhermind。TheCaptainsaidhewouldchanceitwithoutthenumber，sotheletterwasposted。Then，withtheelectrician，hestrolledovertoinspecttheremainsofthebilliardsaloon。
　　Therewasasmallcrowdgatheredaboutthebuilding，prominentamongitsmembersbeingthe”traincommittee，”whowereevidentlyholdingaspecialsessiononthismomentousoccasion。Thebusy”Squealer，”atrifleenlivenedbysomeofMr。Saunders’wetgoodsthathadescapedtheeffortsofthevolunteersalvagecorps，hailedthenewarrivalsasbrotherheroes。”Wellnow，Cap’nEri！”heexclaimed，shakinghandsvigorously。”AndMr。Hazeltine，too！How’reyoufeelin’afterlastnight？I
　　saystoWeb，Isays，’There’sfolksinthistownbesidesmethatkeptyoufromlosin’thewholethingandyououghttothank’em，’I
　　says。’Oneof’em’sCap’nEriandt’otherone’sMr。Hazeltine。
　　Ifwethreedidn’twork，then_I_don’tknow，’Isays。””Webfoundouthowthefirestartedyit？”inquiredtheCaptainwithapparentunconcern。”No，hehain’tforsure。TherewasalotofusthoughtoldBaxtermighthavesetit，buttheytellmeitcouldn’thavebeenhim，causehewastookdownrunnin’tothefire。Web，he’ssortofchangedhistune，anddon’tseemtothinkanybodysetit；thinksitcatcheditself。”
　　Mr。Saunders，hissmoothselfagain，withalltracesofmentaldisturbancegonefromhisfaceandallroughnessfromhistongue，camebrisklyup，smilingasiftheburningofhisplaceofbusinesswasbutatriflingincident，alittleannoying，ofcourse，butnotworthfrettingabout。HethankedtheCaptainandHazeltineeffusivelyfortheirserviceofthepreviousnight，andpiledtheweightofhisobligationsuponthemuntil，asCaptainErisaidafterwards，”thesyrupfairlydrippedoffhischin。”TheCaptainbrokeinuponthesugaryflowassoonashecould。”Howd’youthinkitstarted，Web？”heasked。”Well，”repliedMr。Saundersslowly，”Ikindofcal’lateshestartedherself。Therewassomeoftheboysinheremostoftheevenin’，and，jestlike’snot，acigarbutt，oramatch，orsomethin’droppedsomewheresandgottosmolderin’，andsmolderedalongtillbime-by——puff！”Anexpressivewaveofafathandfinishedthesentence。”Humph！”gruntedtheCaptain。”Changedyourmindsencelastnight。
　　SeemstomeIheardyouthenswearin’youknew’twassetandwhosetit。””Well，ye-es。IwasconsiderableshookuplastnightandmaybeI
　　saidthingsIhadn’toughtto。Youseethere’sbeenagooddealofhardfeelin’stowardsmeintownandforaspellIthoughtsomefeller’dtriedtoburnmeout。ButIguessnot；Iguessnot。MoreIthinkofit，moreIthinkitcatcheditself。SeemstomeI
　　remembersmellin’sortofascorchin’smellwhenIwaslockin’up。
　　Oh，say！Iwasmightysorrytohear’boutCap’nBaxterbein’tooksick。Theoldmanwasdreadfuldownonliquor，butIlaidthattohisreligionandneverhadnohardfeelin’sagainsthim。How’shegittin’along？”
　　CaptainEribrusquelyrepliedthathisfriendwas”’boutthesame，”
　　andaskedifMr。Saundersintendedtorebuild。”Web”didn’tknowjustyet。Hewasapoorman，didn’tcarrymuchinsurance，andsoon。Thoughtlikelyheshouldfixupagainifitdidn’tcosttoomuch。DidtheDoctorsaywhetherCaptainBaxterwouldpullthroughornot？
　　CaptainErigaveanevasiveanswerandturnedaway。Hewassilentforsomelittletime，andwhenRalphcommentedon”Web’s”overnightchangeofmanner，hisrejoinderwastotheeffectthat”ilewasboundtorise，butthatdidn’tmeantherewa’n’tdirtywaterunderneath。”OnthewayhomeheaskedHazeltineconcerningthetroubleatthecablestation，andhowMr。Langleyhadtreatedthematter。
　　RalphrepliedthatMr。Langleyhadsaidnothingtohimaboutit。
　　Itwashisopinionthattheoldgentlemanunderstoodtheaffairprettywell，andwasnotdisposedtoblamehim。Asforthemen，theyhadbeenasdocileaslambs，andhethoughtthefeelingtowardhimselfwasnotasbitterasithadbeen。Allofwhichhiscompanionsaidhewasgladtohear。
　　Theyseparatedatthegate，andtheCaptainenteredthehousetofindMrs。Snowwieldingabroomandsurroundedbyacloudofdust。
　　Perezwasupstairswiththepatient，andCaptainJerry，whosehabitshadbeenconsiderablyupsetbythesweeping，wasoutinthebarn。
　　ThateveningthesituationwasexplainedtoMrs。SnowbyCaptainEri，inaccordancewiththetalkatthebreakfasttable。TheladyfromNantucketunderstoodandrespectedCaptainJerry’sunwillingnesstodiscussthemarriagequestionwhileJohnBaxter’sconditioncontinuedcritical，andsheagreedtoactasnurseandhousekeeperforawhile，atleast，forthesumofsixdollarsaweek。Thispricewasfixedonlyafterconsiderablediscussionbythethreemariners，forCaptainEriwasinclinedtooffereight，andCaptainJerrybutfour。
　　WhenRalphHazeltinecalledlateintheafternoonofthefollowingday，thediningroomwassotransformedthathescarcelyknewit。
　　Thedusthaddisappeared；thechronometerwaspolishedtillitshone；thetablewascoveredwithacloththatwassnow-white，andeverythingmovablehadtheappearanceofbeinginitsplace。
　　Altogether，therewasanevidenceoforderthatwasalmoststartling。
　　CaptainEricametothedoorinresponsetohisknock，andgrinnedappreciativelyathiscaller’slookofwonder。”Idon’twonderyou’res’prised，”hesaid，withachuckle。”I
　　ain’tbeguntogitoverityit，myself，andLorenzo’ssoshookupheain’tbeeninthehousesencebreakfasttime。He’soutinthebarn，keepin’Dan’lcomp’nyandwaitin’fortheendoftheworldtostrike，Ical’late。”
　　Ralphlaughed。”Mrs。Snow？”heinquired。”Mrs。Snow，”answeredtheCaptain。”Itbeatsallwhatawomancandowhenshe’sthatkindofawoman。She’sdonemoreswabbin’decksandoverhaulin’runnin’riggin’thananewmateonaclipper。Theplaceissoall-firedcleanthatIfeellikebrushin’myselfeverytimeIgotosetdown。””How’sCaptainBaxter？”askedHazeltine。”Seemstobesomebetter。Hecometoalittlethismornin’，andseemedtoknowsomeofus，butheain’tsensedwhereheisyit，norIdon’tb’lievehewillfuraspell。Setdownandkeepmecomp’ny。
　　It’smywatchjestnow。Perez，he’sovertoBarry’s；Jerry’suptotheschoolhouse，andMrs。Snow’srunuptothepost-officetomailaletter。John’sasleep，soIcanstaydownstairsalittlewhile，long’sthedoor’sopen。What’sthenewsuptown？Webchangedhismindag’in’boutthefire？”
　　ItappearedthatMr。Saundershadnotchangedhismind，atleastsocurrentgossipreported。Anditmayberemarkedherethat，curiouslyenough，theopinionthatthefire”caughtitself”cameatlasttobegenerallyacceptedinthevillage。ForsomeweeksCaptainEriwastroubledwiththoughtsconcerningthemissingcoat，but，astimepassed，andtheaccusinggarmentdidnotturnup，hecametobelievethatsomeboymusthavefounditandthatithad，inallprobability，beendestroyed。Therewere，ofcourse，somepersonswhostillsuspectedJohnBaxterastheincendiary，buttheoldman’sseriousillnessandrespectforhisformerstandinginthecommunitykeptthesefewsilent。TheBaxterhousehadbeenlockedupandtheCaptainhadthekey。
　　Hazeltineandhishostchattedforafewminutesonvarioustopics。
　　Thegilttitlesontheimposing”LivesofGreatNavalCommanders，”
　　havingreceivedtheirshareofthegeneraldusting，nowshoneforthresplendent，andtheCaptainnoticedRalph’seyeasitinvoluntarilyturnedtowardthem。”Noticin’ourlibrary？”hechuckled。”Perez’property，thatis。
　　’GustyBlacktalkedhimintobuyin’’em。Nevermet’Gusty，didyou？No，Iguesslikelynot。ShelivesovertotheNeck，anddon’tgitdowntothevillagemuch。’Gusty’swhatyoucallabusinesswoman。She’alwaysuptosomethin’tomakeadollar，andshe’sasslickatalkeraseverwas，Iguess。ShenevergivePereznoresttillhesignedthedeedforthembooks。Toldhimthey’dgiveliter’rytonetotheshebang。Perezstartedtoread’emoutloudwhentheyfustcome，buthehadtostopsooftentospelloutthefurrinnamesthatmeandJerryusedtogotosleep。Thatmadehimmad，andhesaid，liter’rytonebedurned；hewa’n’tgoin’towastehisbreathreadin’ustosleep；sothey’vebeenontheshelfeversence。”
　　Ralphlaughed。”Soyouhavebookagents，too？”hesaid。”Well，we’vegot’Gusty，”wasthereply，”andshe’senoughtokeepusgoin’。Gitsroundreg’larasclockworkonceamonthtocollectthetwodollarsfromPerez。It’sherdaynow，andItoldPerezthatthatwaswhyhesneakedofftoBarry’s。Yousee，’Gusty’safterhimtobuythehistoryofMethuselah，orsomeoldcritter，andhedon’tliketoseeher。She’safterme，too，butI’m’fraidshedon’tgitmuchencouragement。”
　　Aftertheyhadtalkedalittlelonger，theCaptainseemedtoremembersomething，forheglancedathiswatchandsaid，”Mr。
　　Hazeltine，IwonderifIcouldgityoutodomeafavor。Ireallyoughttogodownandseetomyshanty。Ain’tbeentheresencedayaforeyesterday，andthere’ssomanyboys’round，I’m’fraidtoleaveitunlockedmuchlonger。Ithoughtsomeofthefolkswouldbeback’forethis，butifyoucouldstayherelongenoughformetorundownthereaminuteortwo，I’dbeeversomuchobliged。
　　I’llstepupandseehowJohnis。”
　　Hewentupstairsandreturnedtoreportthatthepatientwasquietandseemedtobeasleep。”Ifyouhearhimgroan，oranything，”hesaid，”jestcometothedoorandwhistle。Whistleanyway，ifyouwantme。Ain’tnobodylikelytocome，’lessit’s’GustyortheReverendPerleycometoask’boutJohn。Ifit’samiddlin’good-lookin’youngwomanwithasatchel，that’s’Gusty。Don’twhistle；tellherI’mout。I’llbebackinajiffy，butyouneedn’ttelleitherofthemsounlessyourconsciencehurtsyouTOOmuch。”
　　AftertheCaptainhadgoneRalphtookdownavolumeofthe”GreatCommanders”andsatdowninachairbythetabletolookitover。
　　Hewassmilingoverthegaudyillustrationsandflamboyantdescriptionsofbattles，whentherewasasteponthewalkoutsideandknockatthedoor。”Whichisit，”hethought，”’GustyortheReverend？”
　　ObviouslyitwasMissBlack。Shestoodonthemicaslabthatformedthestepandlookedupathimasheswungthedooropen。
　　Shehadasmallleatherbaginherhand，justastheCaptainhadsaidshewouldhave，butitflashedacrossMr。Hazeltine’smindthattherestofthedescriptionwasnotafairone；shewascertainlymuchmorethan”middlin’good-lookin’！””IsCaptainHedgein？”sheasked。
　　Now，fromhisfriend’shints，Ralphhadexpectedtoheararathersharpandunpleasantvoice，——certaindisagreeableremembrancesofformerencounterswithfemalebookagentshadhelpedtoformtheimpressionperhaps，——butMissBlack’svoicewasmellow，quiet，andratherpleasingthanotherwise。”No，”saidMr。Hazeltine，obeyingorderswithexactitude。”CaptainHedgeisoutjustnow。””’Gusty”——somehowthenamedidn’tseemtofit——wasmanifestlydisappointed。”Oh，dear！”shesaid，andthenadded，”Willhebebacksoon？”
　　Nowthiswasaquestionunprovidedfor。Ralphstammered，andthenmiserablyequivocated。Hereallycouldn’tsayjustwhentheCaptainwouldreturn。”Oh，dear！”saidtheyoungladyagain。Thensheseemedtobewaitingforsomefurtherobservationonthepartofthegentlemanatthedoor。Nonebeingforthcoming，sheseemedtomakeuphermindtoactonherowninitiative。”IthinkIwillcomeinandwait，”shesaidwithdecision。Andcomeinshedid，Mr。Hazeltinenotknowingexactlywhattodo，underthecircumstances。
　　Nowthiswasmuchmoreinkeepingwiththeelectrician’spreconceivedideasofabookagent’sbehavior；nevertheless，whenheturnedandfoundtheyoungladystandinginthemiddleofthefloor，hefeltobligedtobeatleastdecentlypolite。”Won’tyoutakeachair？”heasked。”Thankyou，”saidthecaller，andtookone。
　　Thesituationwasextremelyawkward，butRalphfeltthatloyaltytoCaptainEriforbadehisdoinganythingthatmighturgetheself-
　　possessedMissBlacktoprolonghervisit，soforatimehesaidnothing。TheyoungladylookedoutofthewindowandMr。Hazeltinelookedather。Hewasmorethaneveroftheopinionthatthe”middlin’”termshouldbecutoutofherdescription。Heratherlikedherappearance，sohedecided。Helikedthewaysheworeherhair；sosimpleanarrangement，butsoeffective。Alsohelikedherdress。Itwasthefirsttailor-madewalkingsuithehadseensincehisarrivalinOrham。Andwornbyacountrybookagent，ofallpeople。
　　JustthenMissBlackturnedandcaughthimintentlygazingather。
　　Shecolored，apparentlywithdispleasure，andlookedoutofthewindowagain。Mr。Hazeltinecoloredalsoandfidgetedwiththebookonthetable。Thesituationwasconfoundedlyembarrassing。
　　Hefeltthathemustsaysomethingnow，sohemadetheoriginalobservationthatithadbeenapleasantday。
　　Tothistheyoungladyagreed，buttherewasnoenthusiasminhertone。ThenRalph，nervouslyfishingforanothertopic，thoughtofthebookinhishand。”Iwasjustreadingthis，”hesaid。”Ifounditquiteinteresting。”
　　Thenextmomentherealizedthathehadsaidwhat，ofallthings，wasthemostimpolitic。Itwasnothinglessthanabidfora”canvass，”andhefullyexpectedtobeconfrontedwiththenecessaryorderblankswithoutdelay。But，strangelyenough，thebookladymadenosuchmove。Shelookedathim，itistrue，butwithanexpressionofsurpriseandwhatseemedtobeamusementonherface。Hewascertainthatherlipstwitchedasshesaidcalmly:”Didyou？Iamgladtohearit。”
　　Thisdispassionateremarkwasentirelyunexpected，andtheelectrician，asCaptainEriwouldhavesaid，”losthisbearings”
　　completely。”Yes——er，yes，”hestammered。”Veryinterestingindeed。I——I
　　supposeyoumusttakeagoodmanyordersinthecourseofaweek。””AgoodmanyORDERS？””Why，yes。Ordersforthebooks，Imean。Thebooks——the’GreatNavalLives’——er——thesebookshere。””Ibegyourpardon，butwhodoyouthinkIam？”
　　AnditwasthenthattheperceptionofsometremendousblunderbegantoseizeuponMr。Hazeltine。Hehadbeenredbefore；now，hefelttherednesscreepingoverhisscalpunderhishair。”Why，why，MissBlack，Isuppose；thatis，I——”
　　JustherethedooropenedandCaptainEricamein。Hetookoffhiscapandthen，seeingthevisitor，remainedstanding，apparentlywaitingforanintroduction。Buttheyoungladydidnotkeephimwaitinglong。”AreyouCaptainEriHedge？”sheasked。”Yes’m，”answeredtheCaptain。”Oh，I’mSOglad。Yourlettercamethismorning，andIhurrieddownonthefirsttrain。I’mElizabethPreston。”