"I'm glad to be here, Julia," said the captain. "You know it, too, I
guess likely. Is all well with you, Julia?"

Cherry Blossom in horrible pidgin English affirmed that all was well,
all was happiness and delight and bliss in the realm beyond. Galusha did
not hear much of this, he was suffering too acutely to listen. Then he
heard Captain Jethro ask another question.

"Is there any special message you've got for me, Julia?"

Yes, there was. "Daughter, daughter." There was some message about a
daughter.

"Lulie? Is there somethin' you want to tell me about Lulie, Julia?"

"Father!" It was Lulie herself who uttered the exclamation. "Father,"
she cried. "Don't! Oh, don't! Please don't!"

Her father's reply was a furious roar.

"Stop!" he thundered. "Be still! Don't you say another word!"

"But, father, PLEASE--"

"Stop!... Julia, Julia... are you there? What is it about Lulie? Tell
me."

Little Cherry Blossom herself seemed a bit nervous, for her next message
was given with a trifle less assurance. It was an incoherent repetition
and re-repetition of the word "daughter" and something about "looking
out" and "danger."

Captain Jethro caught at the word.

"Danger?" he queried. "Danger for Lulie? Is that what you mean, Julia?
I'm to look out on account of danger comin' for Lulie? Is that it,
Julia?"

Lulie made one more desperate plea.

"Father," she begged, "please don't! Of course there isn't any danger
for me. This is SO ridiculous."

"Be still, I tell you.... Is that it, Julia? Is it?" Little Cherry
Blossom with some hesitation indicated that that was it. A rustle of
excitement stirred the circle.

"What kind of danger?" demanded the light keeper, eagerly. "Can't you
tell me that, Julia?"

Apparently she could not, for there was no reply. The captain tried to
help by suggestion.

"Danger from--from her bein'--er--hurt?" he suggested. "Being run
over--or--or--drowned or somethin'?"

No, that was not it.

"Danger from somebody--some person?"

"Yes." Another rustle of excitement in the circle. The light keeper
caught his breath.

"Julia," he demanded, "do you mean that--that our girl's in danger from
some--some MAN?"

"FATHER! I won't stand this. It's perfectly--"

"Lulie Hallett, you set down! Set DOWN!"

Martha Phipps laid a hand upon the girl's arm. "Don't excite him," she
whispered. "I'd sit down if I were you, Lulie."

Lulie, trembling with indignation, subsided under protest. Li