people can afford a boat of their own, they
can pay for a doctor. I'd have to have that understood," she finished
with some hesitation and a flush of color rising in her pale cheek.

"Sure. It will be, but I hope, it can't be, 't Gerry's really sick. If
he is I'll be the one to stay take care of him. Melvin, you go along
with this gentleman an' Cap'n Jack, and take care you don't worry any
of them about Gerry. Can't be he's really sick."

"Yes, let's set sail! It's real comf'table here, Ma'am, but I'm
anxious to get back to my bridge; an' my clo'es--sea-farin' men is apt
to be rheumatic--they're jest a speck damp----"

"Of course. Sorry we couldn't offer you each a change. As it is you'd
better go, soon as you can, too. What is in that box you brought
along? Something alive, I know, for it keeps up such a queer noise."

"They're terribly alive, indeed, don't you know? And I fancy they're
as hungry as I was. But," as his hostess hastily rose, doubtless to
seek further refreshments, Melvin added: "I shouldn't know what in the
world to give them. They're just a pair of monkeys, Mrs. Stillwell,
and I haven't an idea, don't you know, what they would or would not
eat."

"Monkeys! How lovely! Oh! please do leave them overnight, so that the
children can see them. Why, Corny dear, it would be almost like going
to a circus, as we did once before we were married. Down to Annapolis,
you know. Do you remember?"

"Shall I ever forget? With you the prettiest show----"

"Corny, dear, there are strangers present. Family speeches don't
belong. Now be off."

Yet like a happy girl she submitted to her husband's parting kiss as
if it were an ordinary, every-day matter, and as the trio passed out
of sight she turned to Jim, explaining:

"I'm very glad _you_ stayed and not the other. Gerald's fever is
rising fast. He may get restless and Corny--Did he take his gun?"

"I believe so, ma'am. I think he picked it up as he went out the
door."

Lucetta sighed.

"Then like as not he'll forget all about the doctor. He wouldn't mean
to, not for a minute; only the dear fellow cannot resist the woods. He
loves them so. I've known him to get up in the night and wander off,
to be gone two or three days. But he always comes home so happy and
rested. I'm glad to have him go."

"Do you stay here alone those times, ma'am? It seems a pretty lonesome
sort of place. I didn't see any other houses nigh."

"Yes, I stay alone, that is with six of