the courtesy. "It looks as though Cap'n Barber has
run away," she said, with attempted jocularity.

Mrs. Church smiled a superior smile. "He is not far off," she said,
quietly.

"Resting, I suppose," said Mrs. Banks, with intent.

Mrs. Church took higher ground. "Of course this sad affair has upset him
terribly," she said, gravely. "His is a faithful nature, and he can't
for-get. How is Miss Banks bearing up?"

Mrs. Banks, looking up suspiciously, said, "Wonderful, considering,"
and relapsed into silence until such time as her foe should give her
an opening. Mrs. Church took a seat by her side, and Nibletts, with a
feeling of something strained in the atmosphere, for which he could not
account, resumed his walk.

He was nearly up to Captain Barber's house when he saw a figure come out
of the lane by the side, and after glancing furtively in all directions
make silently for the door. The watching Nibletts quickening his pace,
reached it at almost the same moment.

"Mrs. Banks is looking for you," he said, as he followed him into the
parlour.

Captain Barber turned on him a weary eye, but made no reply.

"And Mrs. Church, too; at least, I think so,' continued the other.

"Cap'n Nibletts," said the old man, slowly, "I 'ope you'll never live
long enough to be run arter in the way I'm run arter."

The astonished mariner murmured humbly that he didn't think it was at
all likely, and also that Mrs. Nibletts would probably have a word or
two to say in the matter.

"From the moment I get up to the moment I get to bed, I'm run arter,"
continued the hapless Barber. "Mrs. Church won't let me go out of 'er
sight if she can help it, and Mrs. Banks is as bad as she is. While
they was saying nice things to each other this morning in a nasty way I
managed to slip out."

"Well, why not get rid o' Mrs. Church?" said the simple Nibletts.

"Rid o' Mrs. Church!" repeated Captain Barber, aghast; "why don't you
get rid o' your face, Nibletts?" he asked, by way of comparison merely.

"Because I don't want to," replied the other, flushing.

"Because you _can't_" said Captain Barber, emphatically. "And no more
can't I get rid of 'er. You see, I 'appened to take a little notice of
'er."

"Oh, well," said the other, and sighed and shook his head
discouragingly.

"I took a little notice of 'er," repeated Captain Barber, "and then
to spare her feelings I 'ad to sort o' let 'er know that I could never
marry for Fred's sake, d'ye