"Takeoffyourboots，Mr。Paine，"heurged。"Theoldlady’llfetchyouapairofmyslippersandsomesocksinaminute。She’llmakeyourwifecomf’table，too。She’sagreathandatmakin’folkscomf’table。Itellhershe’dmakeacakeoficefeeltohomeonahotstove。Shebeats——"
　　The"oldlady"herselfinterruptedhim，enteringwithabottleinonehandandalampintheother。
　　"Joshua！"shesaid，warningly。
　　"Well，whatisit，Betsy？"
　　"Becarefulhowyoutalk。"
　　"Talk！"withawinkatme。"Iwan’tgoin’tosaynothin’。"
　　"Yes，youwas。Mrs。Paine，youmustn’tmindhim。Heusedtogomateonafishin’schoonerand，fromallIcanlearn，theyuseprettystronglanguageaboardtheseboats。"
　　"Pickitupsameasapollparrot，"cutinherhusband。"Comesnaturalwhenyou’rehandlin’wettrawllineinFebruary。Can’tseemtogetnocomfortoutofanythingmilder。"
　　"He’sarealgood—heartedman，Joshuais，andaprofession’churchmember，buthedoesswearmore’nheoughtto。But，asItelltheminister，hedon’tmeannothin’byit。"
　　"Notadamnthing！"saidMr。Atwood，reassuringly。Thebottle，itappeared，containedJamaicaginger，aliberaldoseofwhichMrs。
　　Atwoodinsisteduponourtakingasaprecautionagainstcatchingcold。
　　"There’snothin’better，"shesaid。
　　"Youbetthereain’t！"thisfromthelightkeeper。"Abodycan’tgetwithinfortyfathomsofacoldwithaswallowofthatamidships。
　　It’shotterthan——"
　　"Joshua！"
　　"TheFourthofJuly，"concludedherhusband，triumphantly。
　　"Andnow，Mrs。Paine，"wentontheladyofthehouse，"yourroom’sallready。I’velaidoutsomedrythingsforyouonthebedandsomeofJoshua’s，too。Youandyourhusband——"
　　Ithoughtithightimetoexplain。
　　"Theladyisnotmywife，"Isaid，quickly。
　　"Sheain’t！Why，IthoughtJoshuasaid——"
　　"He——er——madeamistake。SheisMissColton，asummerresidentandneighborofmineinDenboro。"
　　"Sho！youdon’tsay！That’sjustlikeyou，Joshua！"
　　"Justlikeme！Well，how’dIknow？Ibegyourpardon，Miss，I’msure。Shan’tbegyourhus——ImeanMr。Paine’spardon；heoughttothankmeforthecompliment。Haw！haw！"
　　MissColtonherselfmadethenextremark。
　　"Ifmyroomisready，Mrs。Atwood，"shesaid，，withoutevenaglanceinmydirection，"IthinkIwillgotoit。IAMratherwet。"
　　"Wet！Landsakes，yes！Iguessyoube！Comerightin，Joshua，takethemclothesofyoursintoourroomandletMr。Paineput’emon。"
　　Herhusbandobeyedorders。AfterIwasaloneintheroomtowhichheconductedmeandenjoyingtheluxuryofdrysocks，Iheardhimjustifyinghismistakeinstentoriantones。
　　"Icouldn’thelpit，Betsy，"Iheardhimsay。"Itookitforgrantedtheywasmarried。WhenIhovealongsidethatmotorboattheywasa—settin’closeuptogetherinthesternsheetsandso，ofcourse，Ithought——"
　　"Youhadn’tanybusinessto。Youmadethatpooryoungladyblushsomethin’dreadful。Mostlikelythey’rejustkeepin’company——orengaged，orsomethin’。Yououghttobemorecareful。"
　　Iwonderediftheyoungladyherselfheardallthis。Ididn’tseehowshecouldhelpit。
　　Kinder—heartedpeoplethanthesetwoneverlived，Idobelieve。Itwasafterthreeinthemorning，bothhadbeenupallnight，wewereabsolutestrangerstothem，andyet，withoutawordofcomplaint，theygavetheremainderofthehoursbeforedaylighttomakinguscomfortable。WhenIdressedasmuchofmyselfasasuitofMr。
　　Atwood’s——hisSundaybest，Ipresume——wouldcover，and，withapairofcarpetslippersaboutthesizeandshapeoftoyferryboatsonmyfeet，emergedfromthebedroom，Ifoundthetablesetinthekitchen，theteapotsteamingandMrs。Atwoodcooking"spiderbread"
　　onthestove。WhenMissColton，lookingsurprisinglypresentable——
　　consideringthatshe，too，waswearingborrowedapparelfoursizestoolargeforher——madeherappearance，wesatdowntoasimplemealwhich，Ithink，wasthemostappetizingIevertasted。
　　TheAtwoodswereburstingwithcuriosityconcerningourgettingadriftinthemotorboat。Idescribedtheadventurebriefly。WhenItoldofLute’sforgetfulnessinthematterofgasolenethelightkeeperthumpedthetable。
　　"There，bygodfreys！"heexclaimed。"Icouldseeitcomin’！Thatfeller’sforalltheworldlikeacookIhadonceaboardtheEzryH。Jones。Thatcookwasthebiggestnumskullthateverdrawedthebreathoflife。Alwaysforgettin’somethin’，hewas，andalwaysatthemostinconvenienttime。Once，ifyou’llbelieveit，Ihadaskipperofanothervesselcomeaboardand，wishin’tobesortofhospitable，asyoumightsay，Iofferedhimaglassofrum。"
　　"Joshua！"
　　"Oh，it’sallright，Betsy。Thiswasyearsago。I’masgoodateetotalernowasyoube，andIneverwaswhatyou’dcallasoak。
　　ButI’veSEENfellers——Why，Iknewoneoncethatusedtogotobedinthedark。Hewassofullofalcoholhedidn’tdasttolightamatchfearhe’dcatcha—fire。Fact！Hewaseighty—oddthen，andhelivedtobenighahundred。Preserved，youunderstand，sameasoneofthemspecimensinamuseum。He’dkeptforever，Ical’late，ifhehadn’tfelloffthedock。Thewaterfixedhim；hewasn’tusedtoit。Hewasthewust——"
　　"Nevermindhim。Sticktothecook。"
　　"Yes，yes。Well，Isentthatcookfortherumandwhenhefetchedit，Ithoughtitsmeltfunny。AndwhenITASTEDit——godfreys！
　　’Twasbayrum；yes，sir，bayrum！sameastheyputonyourhair。
　　Yousee，he’dforgottobuyanyrumwhenwewasinourlastportand，havin’thebayrumalonghefetchedthat。’TwasSOMEkindofrumandthatwasenoughforhim。IWASmad，butthatvisitin’
　　skipper，hedidn’tcare。Drankitdownandsmackedhislips。’I’maStateofMaineman，’hesays，’andthat’saprohibitionstate。
　　Thistasteslikehome，’hesays。’Ifyoudon’tmindI’llhelpmyselftoanother。’’Idon’tmind，’saysI，’butI’msorryIain’tgotanyhair—ile。IfIhadyoumighthaveabarber—shoptoddy。’
　　Yes，sir！Ho—ho！that’swhatIsaid。Buthedidn’tmind。Hewas——"
　　Andsoon。Theyarnswerenotelegant，but，ashetoldthem，theywerefunny。MabelColtonlaughedasheartilyastherestofus。
　　Sheappearedtobeinfinespirits。ShetalkedwiththeAtwoods，answeredtheirquestions，andatethehot"spiderbread"andbutterasifshehadnevertastedanythingasgood。Butwithmeshewouldnottalk。WheneverIaddressedaremarktoher，sheturneditwithalaughandhernextspeechwasprettycertaintobeaddressedtothelightkeeperorhiswife。Asforouradventureinthelaunch，thatshetreatedasajoke。
　　"Wan’tyouawfulscaredwhenthatsquallstrucksosudden？"
　　inquiredMrs。Atwood。
　　"Dreadfully。"
　　"Humph！"thisfromJoshua；"Ical’lateMr。Painewassomescarttoo。Whatdidyoudo，Mr。Paine？"
　　"Iriggedthatcanvasontheoarassoonaspossible，"Ianswered。
　　"Um—hm。Thatwasgoodjudgment。"
　　"Tellme，Mr。Atwood，"askedtheyoungladyinnocently，"areallseafaringmenverydictatorialundersuchcircumstances？"
　　"Very——which？"
　　"Imeandotheyorderpeopleaboutandmakethemdoallsortsofthings，whethertheywishtoornot？"
　　"Sartin。Godfreys！IneveraskednobodywhattheywishedaboardtheEzryH。Jones。"
　　"Anddotheytellthemto’sitdownandkeepstill’？"
　　"Gen’rallytheytell’emtogetupandkeepmovin’。Iftheydon’ttheystart’emprettylively——witharope’send。"
　　"Isee。Evenwhentheyare——ladies？"
　　"Ladies？Godfreys！weneverhadbutonewomanaboardtheEzry。
　　Hadtheskipper’swifeonev’yage，butnobodyeverorderedheraroundanytospeakof。Shewassixfeettallandweighedtwohundred。Allhandswasscarttodeathofher。"
　　"Supposeshehadbeenorderedto’sitdownandkeepstill’；whatdoyouthinkwouldhavehappened？"
　　"Don’tknow。If’twasoneofthehandsIguesslikelyshe’dhavehovehimoverboard。If’twastheskipperIshouldn’twonderifshe’dhaveknockedhimdown——aftershegotoverthesurpriseofhisdarin’todosuch，athing。ShehadHIMtrained，Itellye！"
　　"MissColtonthinksmeratherabully，Iamafraid，"Isaid。"I
　　didorderheraboutratherroughly。"
　　Mr。Atwoodburstintoalaugh。"ThatEzryJoneswomanwastheskipper’swife，"hedeclared。"Makesalotofdiff’rence，thatdoes。IwasconsiderableofabullymyselfaforeBetsygotmeontheparson’sbooks。NowI’mthemostpeaceablecrittereveryousee。Yourturn’scomin’，MissColton。Allyougottodoisbepatient。"
　　"Joshua！"saidMrs。Atwood，inmildreproof。"Youmustn’tmindhistalk，MissColton。He’saterriblejoker。"
　　MissColtonchangedthesubject。Shedidnotsomuchaslookatmeagainduringthemealand，afteritwasover，shewenttoherroom，explainingthatshewasverytiredandwouldtrytogetalittlesleep。
　　Ihaddiscoveredthatthelighthouse，beingclosetothemainland，wasequippedwithatelephone。NowIbeggedpermissiontouseit。
　　IcalledupDenboroandaskedtobeconnectedwiththeColtonhome。
　　IfeltverysurethattherewouldbenosleepinthebighousethatnightandIwishedtorelievetheiranxietyandtosendwordtoMother。Mr。Coltonhimselfansweredmycall。
　　IannouncedmyidentityandexplainedwhereIwasandthathisdaughterwasinmycareandperfectlysafe。
　　"ThankGod！"wastheferventexclamationattheotherendofthewire，andthevoicewhichuttereditwasshakingwithemotion。
　　"Staywhereyouareamoment，Paine。Letmetellmywife。Sheisalmostcrazy。Holdthewire。"
　　Iheldthewireandwaited。ThenextvoicewhichreachedmyearswasMrs。Colton’s。Sheaskedadozenquestions，oneaftertheother。WasMabelsafe？WasIsureshewassafe？Wasn’tthepoorchildalmostdeadafterallshe’dbeenthrough？Whathadhappened？
　　Whatwasshedoingawayoverthereinthatdreadfulplace？WhyhadItakenherthere？
　　IansweredaswellasIcould，tellingbrieflyofthecollisioninthefogandwhatfollowed。Theexplanationappearedtoberatherunsatisfactory。
　　"Youtakethewire，James，"Iheardtheladysay。"Ican’tmakeitallout。Mabelisatsomehorridlighthouseandthereisnokerosene，orsomething。Thepoorchild！Alonethere，withthatman！Tellhimshemustbebroughthomeatonce。Itisdreadfulforher！Thinkwhatshemusthavesuffered！AndwithHIM！Whatwillpeoplesay？Tellhimtobringherhome！Theidea！Idon’tbelieveaword——"
　　"Hello——hello，Paine！"Coltonwasatthe’phoneoncemore。"CanyougetMabel——MissColton，overtoWellmouth，doyouthink？"
　　"Yes。IwillgetaboatassoonasIcan。MissColtonisinherroom，asleepIhope。SheisverytiredandIthinksheshouldrestuntildaylight。IwillgethertoWellmouthintimeforthemorningtrain。"
　　"Nevermindthetrain。I’llcomeafterherintheauto。Iwillstartnow。Iwillmeetyouatthelanding——atthewharf，ifthereisone。"
　　"Verywell。WillyoubegoodenoughtosendwordtomymotherthatIamsafeandsound？Shewillbeworried。"
　　"Yes，yes，I’llsendword。TellMabeltobecarefulandnottakecold……Yes，Henrietta，Iamattendingtoeverything。Good—
　　by，Paine。"
　　Thatwasall，notawordofthanks。IdidnotexpectthanksandI
　　madeallowancesforthestateofmindatthemansion；butthattelephoneconversation，particularlyMrs。Colton’sshareinit，castagloomovermyspirits。IdidnotcaretohearmoreofMr。
　　Atwood’syarnsandjokes。Iwenttomyownroom，butIdidnotsleep。
　　Athalf—pastfiveIwasastiragain。Thelightkeeper，itappeared，hadanauxiliaryengineinacatboatwhichheownedandcouldletmehaveasufficientsupplyofgasolenetofilltheComfort’stank。
　　Whenthiswasdone——andittookalongtime，forJoshuainsisteduponhelpingandhewasprovokinglyslow——IreturnedtothesittingroomandaskedMrs。AtwoodtocallMissColton。
　　"Landsakes！"wasthecheeryanswer，"Ididn’thavetocallher。
　　She’sbeenupforfifteenminutes。Saidshewasgoin’totakeacruisearoundthelighthouse。Ical’lateyou’llfindherouttheresomewheres。Goandfetchherhere。Youtwomusthaveabite——acupofhotcoffeeandabiledegg，anyhow——aforeyouleave。Yes，youmust。Ishan’tlistentoanofromeitherofyou。"
　　Iwentoutandcrossedthesandyyardtothewhitewashedlighthouse。
　　TherewasnosignofMissColtonintheyard，butthedoorofthelighthousewasopenandIentered。Noonethere。Thestairs，windingupward，invitedmetoclimbandIdidso。Thelittleroomwiththebiglantern，thelatternowcoveredwithawhitecloth，wasuntenantedalso。Ilookedoutofthewindow。Thereshewas，ontheirongallerysurroundingthetopofthetower，leaningontherailandgazingoutoverthewater。Shehadnotheardme。ForamomentIstoodthere，watchingher。
　　ShewasnotwearingMrs。Atwood’sgownnow，butherown，wrinkledandstainedfromitslastnight’sdrenchinginsaltwater，butdrynow。Shewasbareheadedandherbrownhairwastossingintheseabreeze。Thesun，butalittlewayabovethehorizonandshiningthroughthemorninghaze，edgedherdelicateprofilewithalineofredgold。Ihadneverseenherlookmorebeautiful，ormorearistocraticandunapproachable。Thememoryofournightinthelaunchseemedmorelikeanunbelievabledreamthanever，andtheawakeningmorecruel。ForIwasawakenow。WhatIhadheardoverthe’phonehadawakenedmethoroughly。Thereshouldbenomoredreaming。
　　Isteppedoutuponthegallery。
　　"Goodmorning，"Isaid。
　　Sheturnedquickly，andIheardhercatchherbreathwithalittlegasp。
　　"Ibegpardon，"saidI；"I’mafraidIstartledyou。"
　　Shewasstartled，thatwasevident，and，itseemedtome，atrifleembarrassed。Buttheembarrassmentwasbutmomentary。
　　"Goodmorning，"shesaid。"Howverysilentyoucanbewhenyouchoose，Mr。Paine。Howlonghaveyoubeenstandingthere，pray？"
　　"Onlyamoment。Icametocallyoutobreakfast。"
　　"Tobreakfast？"
　　"Yes，Mrs。AtwoodinsistsuponourbreakfastingbeforeItakeyouashore。"
　　"Oh！Whydidn’tyoucallme？Iwouldhavecomedown。"
　　"IdidnotseeyouuntilIreachedthelanternroom。Mysilencewasnotpremeditated。Imadenoiseenough，orsoitseemedtome；
　　butyouweresowrappedinyourthoughts——"
　　"Nonsense！"Sheinterruptedmealmostsharply。"Iwasnot’wrapped’inanything，exceptthebeautyofthisview。ItIS
　　beautiful，isn’tit？"
　　"Very，"Ianswered，butfearIwasnotlookingattheview。Itmaybethatshenoticedthis，forshesaid：
　　"Youhavecomeintoyourownagain，Isee。SohaveI。"
　　Sheindicatedhergownwithasmileandagesture。Ilaughed。
　　"Yes，"Isaid。"IhavereturneduntoJoshuathatwhichwashis。"
　　"Youshouldhavekeptit。Youhavenoideawhatapicturesquelightkeeperyoumake，Mr。Paine。"
　　Somehoworotherthisharmlessjokehurt。
　　"Yes，"Ianswered，drily，"thatisaboutmymeasure，Ipresume。"
　　Hereyestwinkled。"Ithoughtthemeasureratherscant，"sheobserved，mischievously。"IwishImighthaveasnap—shotofyouinthat——uniform。"
　　"Iamafraidtheopportunityforthatispast。"
　　"Butit——"withalittlebubbleofmirth，"itwassofunny。"
　　"Nodoubt。IamsorryIcan’tobligeyouwithaphotograph。"
　　Shelookedatme，bitingherlip。
　　"Isyourbumpofhumoradent，Mr。Paine？"sheinquired。"Iamafraiditmustbe。"
　　"Youmayberight。Idon’tappreciateajokeaskeenlyas——well，asMr。Carver，forinstance。"
　　Sheturnedherbackuponmeandledthewaytothedoor。
　　"Shallwegotobreakfast？"sheasked，inadifferenttone。
　　Breakfastwasasilentmeal，sofaraswetwowereconcerned。TheAtwoods，however，talkedenoughtomakeupthedeficiency。
　　Aswerosefromthetabletheyoungladyturnedtothelightkeeper。
　　"Mr。Atwood，"shesaid，"IpresumeyouaregoingtobekindenoughtotakemetoWellmouth？"
　　"Why，Miss，I——Iwan’tcal’latin’to。Mr。Painehere，he’sgotallthegasheneedsnowandhe’lltakeyouoverinhislaunch。"
　　"Oh！Butyouwillgo，ifIaskyouto？"
　　"Sartinsure。"
　　"YouhavebeensoverykindthatIdisliketoaskanotherfavor；
　　butIhopedyouwouldsendatelegramforme。MyfatherandmotherwillbeverymuchalarmedandImustwirethematonce。Youwillhavetosendit’collect，’for，"witharuefulsmile，"Ihaven’tmypursewithme。"
　　"Landsakes！that’llbeallright。Gladtohelpyouout。"
　　Iputinaword。"Itwillnotbenecessary，"Isaid，impatiently。
　　"Ihavemoneyenough，MissColton。"
　　Iwasignored。
　　"Thankyousomuch，Mr。Atwood。Youwillcomewithmeandlookoutforthetelegram？"
　　"Yes。Yes——yes。ButIdon’tseewhatyouneedtosendnotelegramfor。Mr。Painehere，hetelephonedtoyourfolkslastnight。"
　　ShelookedatmeandthenatJoshua。
　　"Lastnight？"sherepeated。
　　"Whyyes——orthismornin’afteryou’dgonetobed。Hewasdeadsetonit。Icouldseehewas’mosttiredandworeout，buthewouldn’tresttillhe’d’phonedyourfolksandtold’emyouwassafeandsound。Didn’tseemtocarenothin’abouthimself，buthewasboundyourpaandmashouldn’tworry。"
　　Sheturnedtome。
　　"Didyou？"sheasked。
　　"Yes，"Ianswered。"YourfatheristomeetusattheWellmouthwharf。"
　　"Whydidn’tyoutellme？"
　　"Iintendedto。ImeanttotellyouwhenIsawyouinthelighthouse，but——Iforgotit。"
　　Shesaidnomore，butwhenJoshua，hatandbootson，metusatthedoorshespoketohim。
　　"Youneednotgo，Mr。Atwood，"shesaid。"Itwillnotbenecessary——now。"
　　"Godfreys！I’djustassoonasnot。Ruther，ifanything。"
　　Hehurrieddowntothebeach。Iwasabouttofollowwhenahandtouchedmyarm。Iturned，tofindapairofbrowneyes，mistybutwonderful，lookingintomine。
　　"Thankyou，"saidMissColton。
　　"Don’tmentionit。"
　　"ButIshall。Itwasthoughtfulandkind。Ihadforgotten，or——atleast——Itookitforgrantedtherewasno’phonehere。Butyoudidnotforget。Itwasthoughtful，but——itwaslikeyou。"
　　Iwasbreathinghard。Icouldnotlookather。
　　"Don’t，"Isaid，roughly。"Itwasnothing。Anyonewithcommonsensewouldhavethoughtofitanddoneit，ofcourse。"
　　"Ididnot。Butyou——Oh，itwaslikeyou！Alwayssomeoneelseandneveryourself。Youwerewornout。Youmusthavebeen，after——"
　　withashudder——"lastnight。Oh，Ihavesomuchtothankyoufor！I——"
　　"Comeon！Heaveahead！"ItwasMr。Atwood，bellowingfromthebeach。"AllaboardforWellmouthandpintsalongshore。"
　　Betsyappearedinthedoorbehindus。
　　"Allready，beyou？"sheasked。
　　Icouldnothaveanswered，butmycompanionwasoncemoreascalmandcoolasthemorningitself。
　　"Allready，"sheanswered。"Good—by，Mrs。Atwood。Andthankyouoverandoveragain。Youhavebeensokind。"Withasuddenflashofenthusiasm。"Everyoneiskind。Itisabeautifulworld。
　　Good—by。"
　　SheranlightlydowntheslopeandIfollowed。
　　ThetriptoWellmouthwasofbutahalfhour’sduration。Atwoodtalkedallthetime。MissColtonlaughedathisstoriesandseemedtobewithoutacare。Shescarcelylookedatmeduringthepassage，andifshecaughtmelookingatherandourglancesmetsheturnedaway。Onthewharfwasabigautomobile，surroundedbyagapingcrowdofsmallboysand’longshoreloafers。
　　Wedrewupbesidethelanding。Ourfemininepassengersprangashoreandranupthesteps，tobeseizedinherfather’sarms。
　　Mrs。Coltonwastherealso，babblinghysterically。Iwatchedandlistenedforamoment。ThenIstartedtheengine。
　　"Shoveoff，"Iordered。Thelightkeeperwasastonished。
　　"Ain’tyegoin’ashore？"hedemanded。
　　"No，"Ianswered，curtly。"I’mgoinghome。Shoveoff。"
　　ThelaunchwasfiftyfeetfromthepierwhenIheardashout。
　　Coltonwasstandingonthewharfedge，wavinghishand。Besidehimstoodhisdaughter，hermother’sarmsabouther。
　　"Here！Paine！"shoutedColton。"Comeback！Comebackandgohomewithusinthecar。Thereisplentyofroom。"
　　Ididnotanswer。
　　"Comeback！Comeback，Paine！"heshoutedagain。Mrs。Coltonraisedherheadfromherdaughter’sshoulder。
　　"James！James！"shecautioned，withouttakingthetroubletolowerhervoice，"don’tmakeascene。Lethimgoinhisdreadfulboat，ifheprefersto。"
　　"Paine！"criedherhusbandagain。
　　"Imustlookoutforthelaunch，"Ishouted。"Ishallbehomealmostassoonasyouare。Good—by。"
　　Ileftthelightkeeperathisisland。Herefusedtoacceptacentfromme，exceptinpaymentforthegasolene，anddeclaredhehadhada"fust—ratenightofit。"
　　"Comeandseeusagain，Mr。Paine，"hesaid。"Comeanytimeandfetchyourladyalong。She’sagoodone，sheis，andnice—lookin’，don’ttalk！You’realuckycritter，didyouknowit？Haw！haw！
　　Good—by。"
　　TheComfortnevermadebettertimethanonthathomewardtrip。I
　　anchoredherathermoorings，wentashoreintheskiff，andhasteneduptothehouse。Itwaspastteno’clockandIwouldbeoveranhourlateatthebank。Afinebeginningformyfirstdayinchargeoftheinstitution！
　　Thedining—roomdoorwasopen，butnoonewasinthedining—room。
　　Thekitchendoor，however，wasshutandfrombehinditIheardDorinda’svoice。
　　"Youcangetrightoutofthishouse，"shesaid。"Idon’tcareifyou’vegotamortgageontherestoftheCape！Youain’tgotoneonthishouse，andyounornobodyelseshallstayinitandtalkthatway。There’sthedoor。"
　　"Dorindy！"wailedanothervoice——Lute’s。"Youmustn’ttalkso——tohim！Don’tyourealize——"
　　"IrealizethatifIhadahusbandinsteadofajellyfishI
　　shouldn’thavetotalk。Bestill，you！"
　　Athirdvoicemadeitselfheard。
　　"Allright，"itgrowled。"Iain’tanxioustostayhereanylongerthanisnecessary。Bein’anhonest，decentman，I’mashamedtobeseenhereasitis。Butyoucantellthatlow—livedsneak，RosPaine，that——"
　　Iopenedthedoor。
　　"Youmaytellhimyourself，CaptainDean，"saidI。"Whatisit？"
　　CHAPTERXX
　　Myunexpectedentrancecausedasensation。Lute，sittingontheedgeofoneofthekitchenchairs，anagonizedexpressiononhisface，startedsoviolentlythathealmostlosthisbalance。
　　Dorinda，standingwithherbacktowardme，turnedquickly。CaptainJedediahDean，hishandontheknobofthedooropeningtothebackyard，showedtheleastevidenceofsurprise。Hedidnotstart，nordidhespeak，butlookedatmewithacountenanceasgrimandsetandimmovableasifithadbeencastinamould。
　　Lute，characteristicallyenough，utteredthefirstword。
　　"Bytime！"hegasped。"It’sRoshimself！Ros——Ros，youknowwhathesays？"Hepointedashakingfingeratthecaptain。"Hesaysyou——"
　　"Keepstill！"Dorindastruckherpalmstogetherwithaslap，asifherhusbandhadbeenwhatsheoftencalledhim，aparrot。Then，withoutanotherglanceinhisdirection，shesteppedbackwardandtookherstandbesideme。
　　"I’mrealgladtoseeyouhomesafeandsound，Roscoe，"shesaid，calmly。
　　"Thankyou，Dorinda。Now，CaptainDean，Ibelieveyouweresendingamessagetomejustnow。Iamhereandyoucandeliverit。Whatisityouhavetosay？"
　　BeforehecouldanswerDorindaspokeoncemore。
　　"Lute，"shesaid，"youcomealongwithmeintothedinin’—room。"
　　"But——but，Dorindy，I——"
　　"Youcomewithme。Thisain’tanyofmybusinessanymore，anditneverwasanyofyours。Come！move！"
　　Lutemoved，butsoslowlythathisprogresstothedoortookalmostafullminute。Hiswifepaidnoheedtothepleadinglookshegaveherandstoodmajesticallywaitinguntilhepassedherandcrossedthesill。Thensheturnedtome。
　　"Ifyouwantme，justspeak，"shesaid。"Ishallbeinthedining—
　　room。Thereain’tnoneedforComforttoknowaboutthis。Shedoesn’tknowthatyou’vebeenawayandhasn’tbeenworriedatall。
　　I’lllookoutforher。Lute’llbewithme，soyouneedn’tfretabouthim，either。"
　　Sheclosedthedoor。
　　"Now，CaptainDean，"Irepeated，"whatisityouhavetosay？"
　　Thecaptain’sgrimmouthtwistedinasavagesneer。
　　"YouknowwhatI’mgoin’tosayaswellasIdo，"heanswered。
　　"Possibly，butyouhadbettersayit。"
　　"Itwon’ttakemelong。You’vesoldthatShoreLanelandtoJimColton，ain’tyou？"
　　"Yes。"