Itis——Why！I'mostforgot。Youjustwait。“
　　Thecaptainlaughinglybeggedhertodivulgethebigsecret，butsheshookhersmallheadandrefused。Thehorsestrottedonatalivelypace，andthemilesseparatingOstableandBayportweresubtractedonebyone。Itwasmagnificentwinterweather。Thesnowhaddisappearedfromtheroad，exceptinwidelyseparatedspots，butthebigdriftsstillheapedthefieldsandshoneandsparkledinthesunshine。Againsttheirwhitenessthepitchpinesandcedarsstooddarklygreenandtheskeletonscruboaksandbushescastdelicateblue-penciledshadows。Thebay，seenovertheflooded，frozensaltmeadowsanddistantdunes，wasinitswinterdressofthedeepestsapphire，trimmedwithwhitecapsandfringedwithstrandedicecakes。Therewasasnapandtanginthebreezewhichbracedonelikeatonic。Thepartyinthecarriagewasagayone。
　　“Gettingtired，captain？”askedPeabody。
　　“Who？Me？Well，Iguessnot。'Mosthome，Bos'n。There'sthesaltworksaheadthere。“
　　Theypassedtheabandonedsaltworks，thecrumblingruinsofadeadindustry，andtheboundarystone，nowhalfhiddeninadrift，markingthebeginningofBayporttownship。Then，fromthepinegroveatthecurvefartheron，appearedtwocappedandcoatedfigures，performingacrazyfandango。
　　“Who'sthemtwolunatics，“inquiredCaptainCy，“whoopin'andcarryin'oninthemiddleoftheroad？Hasanybodyupthiswayhadajugcomebyexpressor——Hey！WHAT？Why，youoldidiotsyou！
　　COMEhereandletmegetaholdofyou！”
　　TheBoardofStrategyswoopeddownuponthecarriagelikeTrumetmosquitoesonasummerboarder。Theyswarmedintothevehicle，BaileyonthefrontseatandAsaphintherear，where，somehoworother，theymaderoomforhim。Therewerehandshakingsandthumpsontheback。
　　“Whatyoudoin''wayuphereinthewestendofnowhere？”demandedCaptainCy。“Bythebigdipper，I'mgladtoseeyou！How'dyougethere？”
　　“Walked，“cackledBailey。“Froggeditalltheway。Soon'sMrs。
　　Peabodywiredyouwasgoin'toride，meandAsestartedtomeetyou。Wan'tyousurprised？”
　　“Wewantedtobethefusttosayhowdy，oldman，“explainedAsaph。
　　“Wantedtowelcomeyouback，youknow。“
　　Thecaptainwasimmenselypleased。
　　“Well，I'mgladI'vegotsomuchpopularity，anyhow，“hesaid。
　　“Guess'twillbedifferentwhenIgetdownstreet，hey？Don'tcal'lateTadandAngie'llshedthejoyoustearoverme。Nevermind；long'smyfriendsaregladIdon'tcareabouttherest。“
　　TheBoardlookedateachother。
　　“Tad？”repeatedBailey。“AndAngie？Whatyoutalkin'about？Why，they——Ugh！”
　　ThelastexclamationwastheresultofatremendousdigintheribsfromtheTiddittfist。Asaph，whohadleanedforwardtoadministerit，wasfrowningandshakinghishead。Mr。Bangsrelapsedintoagrinningsilence。
　　WestBayportseemedtobedeserted。Atoneortwohouses，however，feminineheadsappearedatthewindows。Oneoldladyshookacalicoapronatthecarriage。Achildbesidehercried：“Hurrah！”
　　“AuntHepsyh'istin'colorsbymistake，“laughedthecaptain。“Sheain'tgotherspecs，Iguess，andthinksI'mHeman。Thatcomesofridin'asternofaspan，Peabody。“
　　ButastheydrewneartheCenterflagswereflyingfromfront-yardpoles。Someofthehousesweredecorated。
　　“Whatintheworld——“beganCaptainCy。“Landsakes！lookattheschoolhouse。AndSimmons's！And——andSimpson's！”
　　Theschoolhouseflagwasflappinginthewind。Thescarredwoodenpillarsofitsporticowerehiddenwithbunting。Simmons'sfrontdisplayedarowoflittlebanners，eachbearingaletter——thelettersspelled“WelcomeHome。“Tad'sbarbershopwasmoreorlessartisticallywreathedincoloredtissuepaper。There，too，aflagwasdrapedoverthefrontdoor。Yetnotasinglepersonwasinsight。
　　“Forgoodness'sake！”criedthebewilderedcaptain。“What'sallthismean？Andwhereiseverybody。Haveallhands——“
　　Hestoppedinthemiddleofthesentence。TheywereatthefootofWhittaker'sHill。Itstop，betweentheAtkins'sgateandtheWhittakerfence，wasblackwithpeople。Childrenprancedabouttheoutskirtsofthecrowd。Ashoutcamedownthewind。Thehorses，notintheleastfatiguedbytheirlongcanter，trotteduptheslope。Theshoutinggrewlouder。Awaveofyoungsterscameracingtomeettheequipage。
　　“What——whatintime？”gaspedCaptainCy。“What'sup？I——“
　　Andthenthetownclerkseizedhimbythearm。Peabodyshookhisotherhand。Bos'nthrewherarmsabouthisneck。Baileystoodupandwavedhishat。
　　“It'syou，youoldcritter！”whoopedAsaph。“It'sYOU，d'youunderstand？”
　　“Theappropriationhasgonethrough，“explainedthelawyer，“andthisisthecelebrationinconsequence。Andyouarethestarattractionbecause，yousee，everyoneknowsyouareresponsibleforit。“
　　“That'swhat！”howledtheexcitedBangs。“Andwe'regoin'toshowyouwhatwethinkofyoufordoin'it。We'vebeenplannin'thisforoverafortni't。“
　　“AndIknewitallthetime，“squealedBos'n，“andIdidn'ttellaword，didI？”
　　“ThreecheersforCaptainWhittaker！”bellowedapersoninthecrowd。Thisperson——wonderofwonders！——wasTadSimpson。
　　Thecheeringwas，consideringthesizeofthecrowd，tremendous。
　　Bewilderedandamazed，CaptainCywasassistedfromthecarriageandescortedtohisfrontdoor。Amidstthehandkerchief-waving，applaudingpeoplehesawKeturahBangsandAlpheusSmalleyandAngelinePhinneyandCaptainSalters——evenAlonzoSnow，hisrecentopponentintownmeeting。JosiahDimickwasthere，too，apparentlyhavingafit。
　　OnthedoorstepstoodGeorgiannaand——and——yes，itwastrue——besideher，grandlyextendingawelcominghand，themajesticformoftheHonorableHemanAtkins。Someoneelsewastherealso，someonewhohurriedlyslippedbackintothecrowdastheowneroftheCyWhittakerplacecameupthepathbetweenthehedges。
　　Mr。Atkinsshookthecaptain'shandandthen，turningtowardthepeople，helduphisownforsilence。Toalloutwardappearance，hewasstillthegreatHeman，ourdistrictidol，philanthropist，andleader。Hissilkhatglistenedasofold，hischestswelledintheoldmanner，hiswhiskerswerejustasdignifiedandawe-inspiring。
　　Foraninstant，ashemetthecaptain'seye，hisownfalteredandfell，andtherewasapleadingexpressioninhisface，thelinesofwhichhaddeepenedjustalittle。Butonlyforaninstant；thenhebegantospeak。
　　“Cyrus，“hesaid，“itismypleasantduty，onbehalfofyourneighborsandfriendshereassembled，towelcomeyoutoyour——
　　er——ancestralhomeafteryourtryingillness。Idoitheartily，sincerely，gladly。Anditisthemorepleasingtometoperformthisduty，because，asIhaveexplainedpubliclytomyfellow-
　　townspeople，alldisagreementbetweenusisended。Iwaswrong——
　　againIpubliclyadmitit。Aschemingblackleg，posingintheguiseofalovingfather，imposeduponme。IamsorryforthetroubleIhavecausedyou。OfyouandofthelittlegirlwithyouIaskpardon——Ientreatforgiveness。“
　　Hepaused。CaptainCy，theshadowofasmileatthecornerofhismouth，nodded，andsaidbriefly：
　　“Allright，Heman。Iforgiveyou。“Fewheardhim：themajoritywereapplaudingthecongressman。SylvanusCahoon，whisperingintheearof“UncleBedny，“expressedashisopinionthat“thatwasaboutasmagnaminiousathingaseverIheardsaid。Yes，sir！
　　mag-na-min-ious——that'swhat_I_callit。“
　　“But，“continuedthegreatAtkins，“Ihavesaidallthistoyoubefore。WhatIhavetosaynow——whatIleftmydutiesinWashingtonexpresslytocomehereandsay——isthatBayportthanksyou，_I_thankyou，foryourtremendousassistanceinobtainingtheappropriationwhichistomakeourharborabusyportwhereourgallantfishingfleetmayrideatanchorandunloaditscatch，insteadoftransferringitindoriesasheretofore。Friends，I
　　havealreadytoldyouhowthisman“——layingahandonthecaptain'sshoulder——“cametotheCapitalandusedhisinfluenceamonghisacquaintancesinhighplaces，withtheresultthatthethirtythousanddollars，whichIhaddespairedofgetting，wasaddedtothebill。Ihadthepleasureofvotingforthatbill。Itpassed。
　　Iamproudofthatvote。“
　　Tremendousapplause。ThensomeonecalledforthreecheersforMr。
　　Atkins。Theyweregiven。Buttherecipientmerelybowed。
　　“No，no，“hesaiddeprecatingly。“No，no！notforme，myfriends，muchasIappreciateyourgratitude。Mydaysofpublicservicearenearlyatanend。AsIhaveintimatedtosomeofyoualready，Iamseriouslyconsideringretiringfrompoliticallifeinthenearfuture。Butthatisirrelevant；itisnotmaterialatpresent。
　　To-daywemeet，nottosayfarewelltothesetting，buttogreettherisingsun。_I_callforthreecheersforourcommitteeofone——CaptainCyrusWhittaker。“
　　Whentheuproarhadatlastsubsided，thereweredemandsforaspeechfromCaptainCy。Butthecaptain，facingthem，hisarmsaboutthedelightedBos'n，positivelydeclinedtoorate。
　　“I——I'meversomuchobligedtoyou，folks，“hestammered。“Iamso。Butyou'llhavetoexcusemefromspeechmaking。They——theydidn'tteachitaforethemast，whereIwenttocollege。Thankyou，justthesame。Anddocomeandseeme，everybody。Meandthislittlegirl，“drawingEmilynearertohim，“willberealgladtohaveyou。“
　　Afterthehandshakingandcongratulatingwereover，thecrowddispersed。Itwasagreatoccasion；allagreedtothat，butthemajorityconsidereditadividedtriumph。Thecaptainhaddonealotforthetown，ofcourse，buttheHonorableAtkinshadmadeanothersplendidimpressionbyhisaddressofwelcome。Mostpeoplethoughtitasfineashismemorableeffortattownmeeting。Unlikethatone，however，inthisinstanceitissafetosaythatnone，noteventheadoringandpraise-chantingMissPhinney，derivedquitetheenjoymentfromthecongressman'sspeechthatCaptainCydid。Ittickledhissenseofhumor。
　　“Ase，“heobservedirrelevantlywhenthefive——Tidditt，Georgianna，Bailey，Bos'n，andhimselfwereatlastaloneagaininthesittingroom，“itDON'Tpaytotipoveramonument，doesit——notoutinpublic，Imean。Youwouldn'twanttoseemeblowupBunkerHill，wouldyou？”
　　“BlowupBunkerHill！”repeatedAsaphinalarmedamazement。
　　“Godfreyscissors！Ibelieveyou'regoin'loony。Thisday'sbeentoomuchforyou。Whatareyoutalkin'about？”
　　“Oh，nothin'，“withaquietchuckle。“Iwasthinkin'outloud，that'sall。DidyouevernoticethemimitationstonepillarsonHeman'shouse？They'rehollerinside，butyou'dneverguessit。
　　And，longasyoudoknowthey'reholler，youcankeepawatchon'em。Andthere'sonethingsure，“headded，“theyAREornamental。“
　　CHAPTERXXI
　　CAPTAINCY'S“PICTURE“
　　“WonderwherePhoebewentto，“remarkedMr。Tidditt，alittlelater。“IthoughtIsawherwithHemanandGeorgiannaonthefrontstepswhenwedroveup。“
　　“Shewasthere，“affirmedthehousekeeper。“She'dbeenhelpin'metrimuptheroomshere。Whatdoyouthinkof'em，Cap'nCyrus？
　　Ain'ttheypretty？”
　　Thesittingroomanddiningroomweregaywithevergreensandold-
　　fashionedflowers。Ourlivingroomwindowsinthewintertimeareusuallyfilledwithcarefullytendedpottedplants，andtheneighborshadloanedtheirgeraniumsandfuchsiasandheliotropeandbegoniastobrightentheWhittakerhouseforitsowner'sreturn。CaptainCy，whowassittingintherocker，withBos'nonhisknee，lookedabouthim。Nowthatthefirstburstofexcitementwasover，heseemedgraveandpreoccupied。
　　“Theylookmightypretty，Georgianna，“hesaid。“Fineenough。Butwhatwasthatyoujustsaid？Did——“
　　“Yup，“interruptedMissTaylor，whohadscarcelyceasedtalkingsincebreakfastthatmorning。“Yes，'twasteacherthathelpedfix'em。NotthatIwouldn'thavegotalongwithouther，butIhadmoretodothanalittle，cleanin'andscrubbin'up。SoPhoebeshecomein，and——Oh！yes，asIwassayin'，shewasoutfrontwithme，buttheminuteyourcarriagedroveupwiththatlovelyspan——
　　AIN'Tthatafinespan！Ical'latethey're——“
　　“Whatbecomeofteacher？”brokeinBailey。
　　“Why，sherunoffsomewheres。Ididn'tseewhereshewentto；I
　　wastoobusyhollerin'atCap'nWhittakerandnoticin'thatspan。
　　IbetyoutheymadeAngiePhinney'seyesstickout。Iguesssherealizesthatweinthishousearesomepunkinsnow。IfIdon'tlorditoverherwhenIrunacrostherthesedays，thenImissmyguess。I——“
　　“Belay！”orderedCaptainCy，hisgravitymorepronouncedthanever。
　　“Howdoesithappenthatyou——Seehere，Georgianna，didyoutellPh——er——MissDaweswhatItoldyoutotellherwhenIwentaway？”
　　“Why，yes，Itoldher。Ihatedto，dreadful，butIdoneit。Shewasawfulsetbackatfust，butIguesssheaskedMr。Tidditt——
　　Whereyougoin'，Mr。Tidditt？”
　　Thetownclerk，hisfacered，wasonhiswaytothedoor。
　　“AskedAse？”repeatedthecaptain。“Ase，comehere！Didyoutellheranything？”
　　Asaphwasverymuchembarrassed。
　　“Well，“hestammered，“Ididn'tmeanto，Cy，butshegottoaskin'
　　mequestions，andsomehowornotherIdidtellheraboutourconfab，yoursandmine。ItoldherthatIknewfolkswastalkin'，andIfelt'twasmydutytotellyouso。That'swhyIdoneit，andItoldheryousaid——well，youknowwhatyousaidyourself，Cy。“
　　CaptainCywasevidentlymuchdisturbed。HeputBos'ndown，androsetohisfeet。
　　“Well，“heaskedsharply，“whatdidshesay？”
　　“Oh！shewaswhiteandstillforaminuteortwo。Thenshekindofstampedherfootandwentoffandleftme。Butnexttimeshemetmeshewasniceaspie。She'sbeenprettyfrostytoAngieandtherestof'em，butshe'sbeenalwaysnicetoBaileyandme。Why，whenIaskedherpardon，shesaidnotatall，shewasverygladtoknowthetruth；ithelpedhertounderstandthings。Andyoucouldseeshemeantit，too。She——“
　　“Soshehasbeencomin'hereeversince。Andthegossiphasbeengoin'on，Is'pose。Well，bythebigdipper，it'llstopnow！I'llseetothat。“
　　TheBoardofStrategyandthehousekeeperwereamazed。
　　“Gossip！”repeatedBailey。“Well，Iguessthereain'tnothin'saidagainsthernow——notinTHIStown，thereain't！Why，allhandscan'tpraiseherenoughforhersmartnessinfindin'outaboutthatThomas。Ifitwan'tforher，he'dbebotherin'youyet，Cy。Youknowit。Whatareyoutalkin'about？”
　　CaptainCypassedhishandoverhisforehead。
　　“Bos'n，“hesaidslowly，“yourunandhelpGeorgiannainthekitchenaspell。She'sgotherdinnertolookoutfor，Iguesslikely。Georgianna，“tothehousekeeper，wholookedanythingbuteager，“youbetterseetoyourdinnerrightoff，andtakeEmmiewithyou。“
　　MissTaylorreluctantlydeparted，leadingBos'nbythehand。Thechildwasloathtoleaveheruncle，buthetoldherhewouldn'tgiveacentforhisfirstdinnerathomeifshedidn'thelpinpreparingit。Soshewentouthappy。
　　“Now，then，“demandedthecaptain，“what'sthisaboutPhoebeandThomas？Iwanttoknow。Stop！Don'taskanotherquestion。
　　Answermefirst。“
　　SotheBoardofStrategy，byturnsandinconcert，toldofthedrivetoTrumetandthecallonDebbyBeasley。Asaphwouldhavenarratedthestoryoftheupsetsulky，butBaileyshuthimupinshortorder。
　　“Nevermindthatfoolishness，“hesnapped。“Yousee，Cy，DebbyhadjustbeenouttoArizonavisitin'oldBeasley'sniece。Andshe'dfellinwithawomanouttherewhosehusbandhadrunoffandlefther。AndDebby，shereadtheadvertisementabouthimintheArizonapaper，anditsaidhehadthespringhaltinhisoffhindleg，orsomethin'similar。Now，Thomas，hehadthat，too，andtherewasotherthingsthatremindedPhoebeofhim。Soshedon'tsaynothin'tonobody，butshewritestothiswomanaskin'formorepartic'larsandaphotographofthemissin'one。Thepartic'larscome，butthephotographdidn't；thewifedidn'thavenone，I
　　b'lieve。ButtherewasenoughtosendPhoebehotfoottoMr。
　　Peabody。AndPeabodyhewritestohislawyerfriendinButte，Montana。AndtheButtemanhe——“
　　“Well，thelongandshortofitis，“cutinTidditt，“thatitlookedsafeandsartinthatThomasHADmarriedtheArizonawomanwhilehisrealwife，Bos'n'sma，waslivin'，andhadrunoffandlefthersameashedidMary。Andthefunnypartofitis——“
　　“Thefunnypartofitis，“declaredBangs，drowninghisfriend'svoicebyraisinghisown，“thatsomebodyoutthere，somescalawagfriendofthisThomas，musthavegotwindofwhatwasup，andsentwordtohim。'Cause，whentheywenttohuntforhiminBoston，he'dgone，skipped，cutstick。Andtheyain'tseenhimsince。Hewasafraidofbein'tookupforbigamist，yousee——forbein'abigamy，Imean。Well，youknowwhatI'mtryin'tosay。Anyhow，ifithadn'tbeenformeandPhoebe——“
　　“YOUandPhoebe！”snortedAsaph。“Youhadawholelottodowithit，didn'tyou？YouandAuntDebby'lldotogotogether。I
　　understandshe'scruisin'roundmakin'proclamationsthatSHEwasresponsibleforthewholething。No，sir-ree！it'sPhoebeDawesthatthecreditbelongsto，andthistownain'tdonenothin'butpraisehersinceitcomeout。Youneverseesuchaquickcome-
　　aboutinyourlife——unless'twasHeman's。Butyouknewallthisafore，Whit。Peabodymusthavetoldyou。“
　　CaptainCyhadlistenedtohisfriends'storywithafaceexpressiveofthemostblankastonishment。AshelearnedofthetriptoTrumetanditsresults，hiseyesandmouthopened，andherepeatedlyrubbedhisforeheadandmutteredexclamations。Now，atthementionofhislawyer'sname，heseemedtoawaken。
　　“Holdon！”heinterrupted，wavinghishand。“Holdon！Bythebigdipper！thisis——is——WhereISPeabody？Iwanttoseehim。“
　　“HereIam，captain，“saidtheattorney。Hehadbeenouttothebarntosuperintendthestablingofthespan，butforthepastfiveminuteshadbeenstanding，unnoticedbyhisclient，onthethresholdofthediningroom。
　　“Seehere，“demandedCaptainCy，“seehere，Peabody；isthisyarntrue？ISit，now？thisabout——aboutPhoebeandall？”
　　“Certainlyit'strue。Isupposedyouknewit。Youdidn'tseemsurprisedwhenItoldyouthecasewassettled。“
　　“Surprised？Why，no！IthoughtHemanhad——Nevermindthat。
　　Landoflove！SHEdidit。She！”
　　Hesatweaklydown。Thelawyerlookedanxious。
　　“Mr。Tidditt，“hewhispered，“Ithinkperhapshehadbetterbeleftaloneforthepresent。He'sjustupfromasickbed，andthishasbeenatryingforenoon。Comeinagainthisafternoon。Ishalltrytopersuadehimtotakeanap。“
　　TheBoardofStrategy，itscuriosityunsatisfied，departedreluctantly。WhenMr。Peabodyreturnedtothesittingroomhefoundthatnapswerefar，indeed，fromthecaptain'sthoughts。Thelatterwaspacingthesitting-roomfloor。
　　“Whereisshe？”hedemanded。“Shewasstandin'onthestepswithHeman。Haveyouseenhersince？”
　　Hisfriendwastroubled。
　　“Why，yes，I'veseenher，“hesaid。“Ihavebeentalkingwithher。
　　Shehasgoneaway。“
　　“GoneAWAY！Where？Whatdoyoumean？Sheain't——ain'tleftBayport？”
　　“No，no。WhatintheworldshouldsheleaveBayportfor？Shehasgonetoherboardinghouse，Iguess；atallevents，shewasheadedinthatdirection。“
　　“Whydidn'tsheshakehandswithme？Whatmadehergooffandnotsayaword？Oh，well，IguesslikelyIknowthewhy！”Hesigheddespondently。“Itoldhernevertocomehereagain。“
　　“Youdid？Whatintheworld——“
　　“Well，forwhatIthoughtwasgoodreasons；allonheraccounttheywas。Andyetshedidcomeback，andkeptcomin'，evenafterAseblabbedthewholething。However，Is'posethatwasjusttohelpGeorgianna。Oh，hum！IAManoldfool。“
　　Thelawyerinspectedhimseriously。
　　“Well，captain，“hesaidslowly，“ifitisanycomfortforyoutoknowthatyourreasonisn'tthecorrectoneforMissDawes'sgoingaway，Icanassureyouonthatpoint。Ithinkshewentbecauseshewasgreatlydisappointed，anddidn'twishtoseeyoujustnow。“
　　“Disappointed？Whatdoyoumean？”
　　“Humph！Ididn'tmeantotellyouyet，butIjudgethatI'dbetter。NooneknowsitherebutMissDawesandI，andprobablynoonebutusthreeneedeverknowit。Yousee，thefactisthattheArizonawoman，DesireHiggins，isn'tMrs。Thomasatall。Heisn'thermissinghusband。“
　　“What？”
　　“Yes，it'sso。Really，itwastoomuchofacoincidencetobepossible，andyetitcertainlydidseemthatitwouldprovetrue。
　　ThisHigginswomanwas，apparently，soanxioustofindhermissingmanthatshewasreadytorecognizealmostanydescription；andtheslightlamenessandthefactofhishavingbeeninMontanahelpedalong。Ifwecouldhavegottenaphotographsooner，thequestionwouldhavebeensettled。Onlylastweek，whileIwasinBoston，I
　　gotwordfromthedetectiveagencythataphotohadbeenreceived。
　　Iwenttoseeitimmediately。Therewassomeresemblance，butnotenough。HenryThomaswasneverMr。Higgins。“
　　“But——but——theysayThomashasskippedout。“
　　“Yes，hehas。That'sthequeerpartofit。AttheplacewhereheboardedwelearnedthathegotaletterfromArizona——trusttheaveragelandladytolookatpostmarks——thatheseemedgreatlyagitatedallthatday，andleftthatnight。Noonehasseenhimsince。Whyhewentisapuzzle。Where，wedon'tcare。Solongashekeepsoutofourway，that'senough。“
　　CaptainCydidnotcare，either。HesurmisedthatMr。Atkinsmightprobablyexplainthedisappearance。Andyet，oddlyenough，thisexplanationwasnotthetrueone。TheHonorableHemansolemnlyassuredthecaptainthathehadnotcommunicatedwithEmily'sfather。Heintendedtodoso，asapartofthecompactagreeduponatthehotel，butthemanhadfled。Andthemysteryisstillunsolved。ThesuppositionisthattherereallywasawifesomewhereintheWest。WhoorwhereshewasnoBayporterknows。HenryThomashasnevercomebacktoexplain。
　　“ItoldMissDawesofthephotographandwhatitproved，“wentonPeabody。“Shewasdreadfullydisappointed。Shecouldhardlyspeakwhensheleftme。Iurgedhertocomeinandseeyou，butshewouldn't。Evidentlyshehadsetherheartonhelpingyouandthechild。Itistoobad，because，practicallyspeaking，weoweeverythingtoher。ThereislittledoubtthattheinquirysetonfootbyherscaredtheThomasfellowintoflight。Andshehasworkednightanddaytoaidus。Sheisaverycleverwoman，CaptainWhittaker，andagoodone。Youcan'tthankherenough。
　　Here！whatareyouabout？”
　　CaptainCystrodepasthimintothediningroom。Thehatrackhungonthewallbythesidedoor。Hesnatchedhiscapfromthepeg，andwasstrugglingintohisovercoat。
　　“Whereareyougoing？”demandedthelawyer。“Youmustn'tattempttowalknow。Youneedrest。“
　　“Rest！I'llrestbyandby。JustnowI'vegotbusinesstoattendto。Letgoofthatpea-jacket。“
　　“But——“
　　“Nobutsaboutit。I'llseeyoulater。Solong。“
　　Hethrewopenthedoorandhurrieddownthewalk。Thelawyerwatchedhiminamazement。Thenaslowsmileoverspreadhisface。
　　“Captain，“hecalled。“CaptainWhittaker。“
　　CaptainCylookedbackoverhisshoulder。“Whatdoyouwant？”heasked。
　　Mr。Peabody'sfacewasnowintenselysolemn，buttherewasatwinkleinhiseye。
　　“Ithinkshe'sattheboardinghouse，“hesaiddemurely。“I'mprettycertainyou'llfindherthere。“
　　Alltheregularsattheperfectboardinghousehad，ofcourse，attendedthereceptionattheCyWhittakerplace。Noneofthem，withtheexceptionoftheschoolmistress，hadasyetreturned。
　　Dinnerhadbeenforgottenintheexcitementofthegreatday，andKeturahandAngelineandMrs。Tripphadstoppedinatvariousdwellingsalongthemainroad，tocomparenotesonthecaptain'sappearanceandtheAtkinsaddress。AsaphandBaileyandAlpheusSmalleywereatSimmons's。
　　CaptainCyknewbetterthantoattempthishurriedtripbywayoftheroad。Hehadnodesiretobeheldupandcongratulated。Hewentacrosslots，intherearofbarnsandorchards，wadingthroughdriftsandclimbingfencesasnosaneconvalescentshould。Butthecaptainatthatmomentwassufferingfromtheformofinsanityknownasthefixedidea。Shehaddoneallthisforhim——forHIM。
　　Andhislastmessagetoherhadbeenaninsult。
　　HeapproachedtheBangspropertybythestablelane。Noonelocksdoorsinourvillage，andthoseoftheperfectboardinghousewereunfastened。Heenteredbywayofthesideporch，justashehaddonewhenGabeLumley'sdepotwagonfirstdepositedhiminthatyard。Butnowheenteredontiptoe。Thediningroomwasempty。
　　Hepeepedintothesittingroom。There，bythecentertable，satPhoebeDawes，herelbowonthearmofherchair，andherheadrestingonherhand。
　　“Ahem！Phoebe！”saidCaptainCy。
　　Shestarted，turned，andsawhimstandingthere。Hereyeswerewet，andtherewasahandkerchiefinherlap。
　　“Phoebe，“saidthecaptainanxiously，“haveyoubeencryin'？”
　　Sheroseontheinstant。Agreatwaveofredsweptoverherface。
　　Thehandkerchieffelltothefloor，andshestoopedandpickeditup。
　　“Crying？”sherepeatedconfusedly。“Why，no，ofcourse——ofcoursenot！I——Howdoyoudo，CaptainWhittaker？I'm——we'reallverygladtoseeyouhomeagain——andwell。“
　　Sheextendedherhand。CaptainCyreachedforwardtotakeit；thenhehesitated。
　　“Idon'tthinkI'doughttoletyoushakehandswithme，Phoebe，“
　　hesaid。“NotuntilIbegyourpardon。“
　　“Begmypardon？Why？”
　　Heabsentlytookthehandandheldit。
　　“ForthewordIsenttoyouwhenIwentaway。'Twasanawfulthingtosay，butImeantitforyoursake，youknow。Honest，Idid。“
　　Shelaughednervously。
　　“Oh！that，“shesaid。“Well，Ididthinkyouwereratherparticularastoyourvisitors。ButMr。Tiddittexplained，andthen——Youneedn'tbegmypardon。Iappreciateyourthoughtfulness。Iknewyoumeanttobekindtome。“
　　“That'swhatIdid。Butyoudidn'tobeyorders。Youkeptcomin'。
　　Now，why——“
　　“Why？Didyousupposethat_I_caredforthemaliciousgossipof——
　　suchpeople？Icamebecauseyouwereintrouble，andIhopedtohelpyou。And——andIthoughtIhadhelped，untilafewminutesago。“
　　Herlipquivered。Thatquiverwenttothecaptain'sheart。
　　“Helped？”hefaltered。“Helped？Why，you'vedonesomuchthatI
　　can'teverthankyou。You'vebeentheonlyrealhelperI'vehadinallthismiserablebusiness。You'vestoodbymeallthrough。“
　　“Butitwasallwrong。Heisn'tthemanatall。Didn'tMr。
　　Peabodytellyou？”
　　“Yes，yes，hetoldme。Whatdifferencedoesthatmake？Peabodybehanged！Heain'tinthis。It'syouandme——don'tyousee？Whatmadeyoudoallthisforme？”
　　Shelookedatthefloorandnotathimassheanswered。
　　“Why，becauseIwantedtohelpyou，“shesaid。“I'vebeenaloneintheworldeversincemotherdied，yearsago。I'vehadfewrealfriends。Yourfriendshiphadcometomeanagreatdealtome。Thesplendidfightyouweremakingforthatlittlegirlprovedwhatamanyouwere。Andyoufoughtsobravelywhenalmosteveryonewasagainstyou，Icouldn'thelpwantingtodosomethingforyou。HowcouldI？Andnowithascometonothing——mypartofit。I'msosorry。“
　　“Itain't，neither。It'scometoeverything。Phoebe，Ididn'tmeantosayverymuchmorethantobegyourpardonwhenIheadedforhere。ButI'vegotto——I'vesimplygotto。Thiscan'tgoon。
　　Ican'thaveyoukeepcomin'toseeme——andBos'n。Ican'tkeepmeetin'youeveryday。ICAN'T。“
　　Shelookedup，asiftospeak，butsomething，possiblytheexpressioninhisface，causedhertolookquicklydownagain。
　　Shedidnotanswer。
　　“Ican'tdoit，“continuedthecaptaindesperately。“'Tain'tforwhatfolksmightsay。Theywouldn'tsaymuchwhenIwasaround，I
　　tellyou。Itain'tthat。It'sbecauseIcan'tbeartohaveyoujustafriend。Eitheryoumustbemore'nthat，or——orI'llhavetogosomewhereselse。IrealizedthatwhenIwasinWashin'tonandcruisin'toCaliforniaandback。I'veeithergottotakeBos'nandgoawayforgood，or——or——“
　　Shewouldnothelphim。Shewouldnotspeak。
　　“Yousee？”hegroaned。“Yousee，Phoebe，whatanoldfoolIam。
　　Ican'taskyoutomarryme，mefifty-five，androughfromknockin'
　　roundtheworld，andyou，youngandeducated，andalady。Iain'tfoolenoughtoasksuchathingasthat。Andyet，Icouldn'tstayhereandmeetyoueveryday，andbyandbyseeyoumarrysomebodyelse。Bythebigdipper，Icouldn'tdoit！Sothat'swhyIcan'tshakehandswithyouto-day——noranymore，exceptwhenIsaygood-
　　byforkeeps。“
　　Thenshelookedup。Thecolorwasstillbrightinherface，andhereyesweremoist，butshewassmiling。
　　“Can'tshakehandswithme？”shesaid。“Please，whathaveyoubeendoingforthelastfiveminutes？”
　　CaptainCydroppedherhandasifhisownhadbeenstruckwithparalysis。
　　“Goodland！”hestammered。“Ididn'tknowIdidit；honesttruth，Ididn't。“
　　Phoebe'ssmilewasstillthere，faint，butverysweet。
　　“Whydidyoustop？”shequeried。“Ididn'taskyouto。“
　　“WhydidIstop？Why，becauseI——I——IdeclareI'mashamed——“
　　Shetookhishandandclaspeditwithbothherown。
　　“I'mnot，“shesaidbravely，hereyesbrighteningasthewonderandincredulousjoygrewinhis。“I'mveryproud。Andvery，veryhappy。“
　　TherewastobeabigsupperattheCyWhittakerplacethatnight。
　　Itwasanimpromptuaffair，arrangedonthespurofthemomentbyCaptainCy，who，inspiteofthelawyer'sprotestsandanxietyconcerninghishealth，wentserenelyupanddownthemainroad，invitingeverybodyhemetorcouldthinkof。Thecaptain'sfacewasasradiantasaspringsunrise。Hissmile，asAsaphsaid，“prettynighcuttheupperhalfofhisheadoff。“Peoplewhohadotherengagements，andwould，underordinarycircumstances，haverefusedtheinvitation，couldn'tsaynotohishearty，“Can'tcome？
　　Courseyou'llcome！Manalive！IWANTyou。“
　　“Invalid，ishe？”observedJosiahDimick，afterreceivingandacceptinghisowninvitation。“Well，IwishtothunderIcouldbetookdownwiththesamekindofdisease。I'dbewillin'tolingeralongwithitquiteaspellifitpumpedmeasfullofjoyasWhitseemstobe。Don'tgivelaughin'gastokeepoffpneumonia，dothey？No？Well，I'dliketoknowthenameofhismedicine，that'sall。“
　　Supperwastobereadyatsix。Georgianna，assistedbyKeturahBangs，Mrs。SylvanusCahoon，andothervolunteers，wasgloriouslybusyinthekitchen。Thetableinthediningroomreachedfromoneendofthebigapartmenttotheother。Guestswouldbegintoarriveshortly。WilyMr。Peabody，guessingthatCaptainCymightprefertobealone，hadtakentheBoardofStrategyoutridingbehindthespan。
　　Inthesittingroom，aroundthebaseburnerstove，werethreepersons——CaptainCy，Bos'n，andPhoebe。MissDaweshad“comeearly，“atthecaptain'surgentappeal。Nowshewassittingintherocker，atonesideofthestove，gazingdreamilyattheruddylightbehindtheisinglasspanes。Shelookedquietly，blissfullycontentedandhappy。Atherfeet，onthebraidedmat，satBos'n，playingwithLonesome，whopurredlazily。Thelittlegirlwashappy，too，forwasnotherbelovedUncleCyrusathomeagain，withalldangeroftheirseparationendedforevermore？
　　AsforCaptainCyhimself，theradiantexpressionwasstillonhisface，brighterthanever。HelookedacrossatPhoebe，whosmiledbackathim。ThenheglanceddownatBos'n。Andallatonceherealizedthatthiswasthefulfillmentofhisdream。Herewashis“picture“；thesittingroomwasnowashehadalwayslovedtothinkofit——asitusedtobe。Hewasinhisfather'schair，Phoebeintheonehismotherusedtooccupy，andbetweenthem——justwherehehadsatsooftenwhenaboy——thechild。TheCyWhittakerplacehadagain，andatlast，comeintoitsown。
　　Hedrewalongbreath，andlookedabouttheroom；atthestove，thelamp，theold，familiarfurniture，athisgrandfather'sportraitoverthemantel。Then，inaflashofmemory，hisfather'swordscamebacktohim，andhesaid，laughingaloudfrompurehappiness：
　　“Bos'n，rundowncellarandgetmeapitcherofcider，won'tyou？——
　　there'sagoodfeller。“
　　End