ot news."

"A beat?"

"Hardly," he laughed. "All the papers have it. That ought to give you a
clue. Can't you guess?"

"Not possibly."

"Well--she'll have me."

"Obviously you're imparting news of great moment," said Good severely.
"I've seldom seen you look more completely idiotic. But I don't get
you."

"Why, you wooden-head--Molly Wolcott--me--we're engaged!"

"Oh--I thought you had _news_. That's as stale as last year's election."
Good laughed as he bantered, but the light shining in his eyes showed
the tenderness of his feeling for the younger man.

"You're a lucky kid."

"Rather. But I earned it. She's had me over the hurdles more than once.
I never had a swelled head with Molly in the neighbourhood. She always
swore I'd never do."

"What made her change?"

"No idea. Woman's way, I guess."

Good put his hand on Roger's shoulder, and his voice softened.
"Poppycock," he said slowly. "She never changed. She was only
waiting--"

"What for?"

"For you to grow up. You've been growing fast of late, my boy. The way
you've taken hold here--it's been splendid. It's tickled your sister
beyond words. And I guess--it's tickled someone else, eh?"

"I guess you're about right," he said seriously. "I never was much of a
fellow. But I never realised what a useless ass I was until I tried
being useful. I came in here more on a lark than anything else. I never
dreamed what a mess I could make of things. I thought I was pretty much
of a man. I was going to look the ship over and then take up quarters on
the bridge. I was going to give you and sis orders in no time. But it
didn't take long to wake up. Why, I'm not even a decently capable boy. I
tell you, Good, this thing has taught me--lots. It's been mighty
hard--harder than you have any idea of. I've wanted to lie down and quit
lots of times. Why, I--"

"Why didn't you?" asked Good quietly.

"Well--there was Molly. I knew it was good-bye Roger if I did. If
there's one thing she hates, it's a yellow streak. Why, she--"

"That wasn't the only reason, was it?" Good's eyes were very bright and
keen. For a moment Roger looked puzzled. Then he hung his head and
smiled.

"No--it wasn't. I--oh, hang it--I don't want to seem a conceited
ass--but--well--I'm not much for the yellow myself. I've never been a
quitter in useless things--and--and--well, I just couldn't quit on this
job. I just had to go through with it. Don't you understand?"

"Yes--I understand." Good