from his forehead.

"Teacher," he said, "there's a proverb, ain't there, about lettin'
to-morrow take care of itself? As for trouble--well, I did think I'd had
trouble enough in my life to last me through, but I cal'late I've got
another guess. Anyhow, don't you fret. I did just the right thing,
and I'm glad I did it. If it was only me I wouldn't fret, either. But
there's--" He stopped, groaned, and pulled the cap forward again. "Good
night," he added, and turned to go.

Miss Dawes leaned forward and detained him.

"Just a minute, Cap'n Whittaker," she said. "I was a little prejudiced
against you when I came here. I was told that you got me the teacher's
position, and there was more than a hint that you did it for selfish
reasons of your own. When you called that afternoon at the school I
was--"

"Don't say a word! I was the biggest fool in town that time, and I've
been ashamed to look in the glass ever since. I ain't always such an
idiot."

"But I've had to judge people for myself in my lifetime," continued the
schoolmistress, "and I've made up my mind that I was mistaken about
you. I should like to apologize. Will you shake hands?"

She extended her hand. Captain Cy hesitated.

"Hadn't you better wait a spell?" he asked. "You've heard that swab call
me partner. Hadn't--"

"No; I don't know what your trouble is, of course, and I certainly
shan't mention it to anyone. But whatever it is I'm sure you are right
and it's not your fault. Now will you shake hands?"

The captain did not answer. He merely took the proffered hand, shook it
heartily, and strode off into the dark.

CHAPTER XII

"TOWN-MEETIN'"

"This is goin' to be a meMOriable town meetin'!" declared Sylvanus
Cahoon, with unction, rising from the settee to gaze about him over the
heads of the voters in the townhall. "I bet you every able-bodied man
in Bayport 'll be here this forenoon. Yes, sir! that's what I call it, a
me-MO-riable meetin'!"

"See anything of Cy?" inquired Josiah Dimick, who sat next to Sylvanus.

"No, he ain't come yet. And Heman ain't here, neither. Hello! there's
Tad. Looks happy, seems to me."

Captain Dimick stood up to inspect Mr. Simpson.

"Humph!" he muttered. "Well, unless my count's wrong, he ain't got much
to be happy about. 'Lonzo Snow's with him. Tad does look sort of joyful,
don't he? Them that laughs last laughs best. When the vote for school
committee's all in we'll see who does the grinnin'. But I can'