Seth, says I, 'I've had all the Debby Beasley _I_ want, and I cal'late
Cy Whittaker feels the same way.' Go to see her! I wouldn't go to see
her if she was up in Paradise a-hollerin' for me."

"Nobody up there's goin' to holler for YOU, Ase Tidditt," remarked
Bailey, with sarcasm; "so don't let that worry you none."

"Are YOU going to see her, Captain Whittaker?" asked Phoebe.

The captain shook his head.

"Why, no, I guess not," he said. "I don't take much stock in what she'd
be likely to know; besides, I'm a good deal like Ase--I've had about all
the Debby Beasley I want."

CHAPTER XV

DEBBY BEASLEY TO THE RESCUE

"Mrs. Bangs," said the schoolmistress, as if it was the most casual
thing in the world, "I want to borrow your husband to-morrow."

It was Friday evening, and supper at the perfect boarding house had
advanced as far as the stewed prunes and fruit-cake stage. Keturah,
who was carefully dealing out the prunes, exactly four to each saucer,
stopped short, spoon in air, and gazed at Miss Dawes.

"You--you want to WHAT?" she asked.

"I want to borrow your husband. I want him all day, too, because I'm
thinking of driving over to Trumet, and I need a coachman. You'll go,
won't you, Mr. Bangs?"

Bailey, who had been considering the advisability of asking for a second
cup of tea, brightened up and looked pleased.

"Why, yes," he answered, "I'll go. I can go just as well as not. Fact
is, I'd like to. Ain't been to Trumet I don't know when."

Miss Phinney and the widow Tripp looked at each other. Then they both
looked at Keturah. That lady's mouth closed tightly, and she resumed her
prune distribution.

"I'm sorry," she said crisply, "but I'm 'fraid he can't go. It's
Saturday, and I'll need him round the house. Do you care for cake
to-night, Elviry? I'm 'fraid it's pretty dry; I ain't had time to do
much bakin' this week."

"Of course," continued the smiling Phoebe, "I shouldn't think of asking
him to go for nothing. I didn't mean borrow him in just that way. I
was thinking of hiring your horse and buggy, and, as I'm not used to
driving, I thought perhaps I might engage Mr. Bangs to drive for me.
I expected to pay for the privilege. But, as you need him, I suppose I
must get my rig and driver somewhere else. I'm so sorry."

The landlady's expression changed. This was the dull season, and
opportunities to "let" the family steed and buggy--"horse and team," we
call it in Bayport--were few.

"