red his nephew, in a voice the hollowness of
which befitted the question.

"How the devil could she be?" returned his uncle, staring at him.

"No, I didn't think of that," said Flower; "of course, she couldn't give
her consent, could she--not if she was dead, I mean."

Captain Barber drew his chair back and looked at him. "His joy has
turned his brain," he said, with conviction.

"No, it's my foot," said Flower, rallying. "I've had no sleep with it.
I'm delighted! Delighted! After all these years."

"You owe it to me," said his uncle, with a satisfied air. "I generally
see my way clear to what I want, and generally get it, too. I've played
Mrs. Banks and Mrs. Church agin one another without their knowing it.
Both 'elpless in my hands, they was."

"But what's the matter with Mrs. Church?" said his depressed nephew.

"Oh, that's the worst of it," said Uncle Barber, shaking his head.
"While I was in play, that pore woman must have thought I was in
earnest. She don't say nothing. Not a word, and the efforts she makes to
control her feelings is noble."

"Have you told her she has got to go then?" enquired Flower.

Captain Barber shook his head. "Mrs. Banks saved me that trouble," he
said, grimly.

"But she can't take notice from Mrs. Banks," said Flower, "it'll have to
come from you."

"All in good time," said Captain Barber, wiping his face. "As I've done
all this for you, I was going to let you tell her."

"_Me!_" said Flower, with emphasis.

"Certainly," said Captain Barber, with more emphasis still. "Just get
her to yourself on the quiet and allude to it casual. Then after that
bring the subject up when I'm in the room. As it's to make room for you
and your wife, you might fix the date for 'er to go. That'll be the best
way to do it."

"It seems to me it is rather hard on her," said his nephew,
compassionately; "perhaps we had better wait a little longer."

"Certainly not," said Captain Barber, sharply; "don't I tell you your
banns are up. You're to be asked in church first time next Sunday,
You'll both live with me as agreed, and I'm going to make over three o'
the cottages to you and a half-share in the ship. The rest you'll have
to wait for. Why don't you look cheerful? You ought to."

"I'm cheerful enough," said Flower, recovering himself. "I'm thinking of
you."

"Me?" said his uncle.

"You and Mrs. Church," said his nephew. "So far as I can see, you've
committed yourself."

"I can manage," s