."

"Humph! Well, his happiness hasn't interfered with his appetite before.
There's something else; I'm sure of it. Why, Gertie! aren't you going to
eat, either? You're not through luncheon!"

The young lady had risen from the table.

"You've eaten scarcely anything, Gertie," protested her mother. "I never
saw such people. Are YOU so happy that you can't eat. Sit down."

Gertrude did not look happy. She did not sit down. Instead she hastily
declared that she was not hungry, and left the room.

Serena stared after her.

"Was she crying, Daniel?" she asked. "She looked as if she was just
going to. Ever since she came in from her walk she has been so downcast
and sad. She won't talk and she hasn't smiled once. Daniel, has she said
anything to you? Do you know what ails her?"

The captain shook his head.

"She and I had a little talk out in the store," he admitted. "I
shouldn't wonder if she was thinkin' about--about--"

"About John, do you mean?"

"Maybe so."

"Did she talk with you about HIM? She won't let me mention his name.
Daniel, I feel SO bad about that. I'm afraid I was to blame, somehow. If
we hadn't gone to Scarford--if ... Daniel, I'm going to her."

She rose. Her husband laid a hand on her arm.

"Sit down, Serena," he urged. "Sit down."

"But, Daniel, let me go. I must go to her. The poor girl! Perhaps I
can comfort her, though how, I don't know. John Doane!" with a burst of
indignation. "If I ever meet that young man I'll give him my opinion of
his--"

"Sshh! shh! Serena! You sit down and finish your luncheon. Don't you
worry about Gertie. And you needn't worry about her appetite or mine.
I tell you what I'll do: If she and I don't have appetite enough for
dinner to-night--or breakfast to-morrow mornin', anyhow--I'll swallow
that platter whole. There! A sight like that ought to be worth waitin'
for. Cheer up, old lady, and possess your soul in patience. This craft
is just gettin' out of the doldrums. There's a fair wind and clear
weather comin' for the Dott frigate, or I'm no sailor. You just trust me
and wait. Yes, and let Gertie alone."

He positively refused to explain what he meant by this optimistic
prophecy, or to permit his wife to go to their daughter. Gertrude went
out soon afterward--for another walk, she said--and Serena retired to
her room for the afternoon nap which the doctor had prescribed as
part of her rest cure. For a time she could not sleep, but lay there
wondering and