ether," said Dr. Grennell; "that is the way I
happened to come to Fairfax. I got my appointment to this church
through Captain Jameson and his father."
"Then couldn't you go on and see if he is really Judy's father?"
"By George," said the doctor, "of course I can. I can make the excuse
that I want to visit my old friends. I need an outing, too."
"I wish I could go with you," said Launcelot, wistfully, as the two
walked down the road, after having perfected plans for the doctor's
trip. "I am getting awfully tired of this place, doctor. You see my
life abroad was so different, and I feel as if I ought to be doing
something worth while."
"Just now the thing that is worth while is for you to be a good son and
stay here," said Dr. Grennell. "You can be nothing greater than that.
And you are doing it like a hero," and his hand dropped affectionately
on the boy's shoulder.
"Well, it's deadly dull," said the hero resignedly, as he thought of
Anne and Judy speeding away to the coolness of the sea. But presently
he cheered up. "It will be great if it does happen to be Captain
Jameson," he said, "and just think if Judy hadn't run away we wouldn't
have seen her coin, and if I had waited that morning she wouldn't have
run away, and if I hadn't been cross I would have waited--how about
that for a moral, Doctor."
"There is no moral," said the minister, "but all bad tempers don't turn
out so well."
"It sounds like,
"'Fire, fire burn stick,
Stick, stick beat dog,
Dog, dog bite pig--'
doesn't it?" said Launcelot with a laugh, as they parted at the
crossroads.
CHAPTER XVI
THE WIND AND THE WAVES
It was dark and raining when the travellers reached The Breakers, but a
light streamed out from the doorway, and Mrs. Adams, the caretaker, met
them on the step.
"I couldn't get any maids to help me," she explained to the Judge, as
she led the way in, "but my sister is coming over in the morning, and
Jim will build the fires--and I've set out supper in the hall."
"That's all right, Mrs. Adams," said the Judge, heartily, "Perkins will
serve us, and you needn't stay up. I know you are tired after hurrying
to get the house ready for us."
"Being tired ain't nothin' so that things suits," said Mrs. Adams, with
an awed glance at the expert Perkins, who having relieved the Judge of
his hat and raincoat was carrying the bags up-stairs under the guidance
of Mr. Adams.
"Everything is just right, Mr
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