n. "See if that'll help ye any."

The young man took it, looking out over the bay. "Yes, I see her now.
She's a schooner." He put down the glass. "Do you mean to say you can
see that with the naked eye?"

"Al'ays could." Uncle William held out his hand again for the glass. "I
don't make her out a schooner, though."

"She's two-masted."

"Yes." Uncle William's eye was glued to the glass. "But she's lighter
built, trimmer. Some pleasure-craft, like enough. You can see her
walk--same as if she was a lady--a-bowin' and bobbin'." He laid down the
glass, a look of pleasure in his face. "She's comin' right in, whoever
she is. She'll drop anchor by noon-time." He glanced at the easel. "You
been paintin'?"

"Trying to."

"'Bout a thousand dollars' wuth, I s'pose?"

"Not ten cents' worth."

"Sho, now! Is that so?" He got up and looked down at the canvas, bending
above it like some genial giraffe. He straightened himself, smiling.
"'Tis kind o' dobby," he admitted. "Mebbe you'll do better to-morrow."

"Maybe. Was there a letter for me?"

The old man shook his head. "Nary letter.--I reckon 't ain't time yet,"
he added consolingly.

The young man looked gloomily at the water. "She must be ill."

"Busy, more likely," said Uncle William.

"It's been six weeks."

"You're feelin' putty well," said Uncle William.

"I shall go down to-morrow," said the young man. He had begun to gather
up his brushes. The hands that lifted them were firm and strong. A clear
color ran beneath the tan of his face.

Uncle William watched him with a little smile. "I dunno's I'd go
to-morrow. You could go next week if you don't hear nuthin'."

"I shall go to-morrow. I've been a fool to wait so long."

Uncle William's eye twinkled. "You've been gettin' well," he said.

"I'm well now."

"Yes, you're--Hello, there's Andy." He leaned over the edge of the
cliff. "What d'ye make her?" he called down.

Andy squinted at the distance. "Coaster," he announced.

"Come up here and take a look at her."

Andy climbed slowly up the cliff. "Got your glass?" He took it and fixed
the moving speck. "'T ain't a coaster," he muttered. "What you folks
been doin' all the mornin'?"

"Well, I've been for the mail and some things, and Mr. Woodworth here
he's been paintin'."

Andy cast a side glance at the easel. Then he gazed fixedly at the bay.
He seated himself on a rock. "It's time for me to go home," he said.

No one paid any attention to it--Andy