, but I will: we are very hard up ourselves and
if you could help him and me with the loan of a little money it would be
thankfully received.

Captain Cy read the letter, folded it, and replaced it in his pocket.
He knew the Howes family by reputation, and the reputation was that
of general sharpness in trade and stinginess in money matters. Betsy's
personal appeal did not, therefore, touch his heart to any great extent.
He surmised also that for Seth Howes and his wife to ask help for some
person other than themselves premised a darky in the woodpile somewhere.
But for the daughter of Emily Richards to be suggested as a possible
housekeeper at the Cy Whittaker place--that was interesting, certainly.

When the captain was not a captain--when he was merely "young Cy," a
boy, living with his parents, a dancing school was organized in Bayport.
It was an innovation for our village, and frowned upon by many of the
older and stricter inhabitants. However, most of the captain's
boy friends were permitted to attend; young Cy was not. His father
considered dancing a waste of time and, if not wicked, certainly
frivolous and nonsensical. So the boy remained at home, but, in spite of
the parental order, he practiced some of the figures of the quadrilles
and the contra dances in his comrades' barns, learning them at second
hand, so to speak.

One winter there was to be a party in Orham, given by the Nickersons,
wealthy people with a fifteen-year-old daughter. It was to be a grand
affair, and most of the boys and girls in the neighboring towns were
invited. Cy received an invitation, and, for a wonder, was permitted to
attend. The Bayport contingent went over in a big hayrick on runners and
the moonlight ride was jolly enough. The Nickerson mansion was crowded
and there were music and dancing.

Young Cy was miserable during the dancing. He didn't dare attempt it, in
spite of his lessons in the barn. So, while the rest of his boy friends
sought partners for the "Portland Fancy" and "Hull's Victory" he sat
forlorn in a corner.

As he sat there he was approached by a young lady, radiant in muslin
and ribbons. She was three or four years older than he was, and he had
worshipped her from afar as she whirled up and down the line in the
Virginia Reel. She never lacked partners and seemed to be a great
favorite with the young men, especially one good-looking chap with a
sunburned face, who looked like a sailor.

They were forming se