d Mrs. Keens, stopping her wringer to
reflect a little. "But I haven't any wish to change my situation," she
added, decidedly, going on again with her work.

"Sure on 't?" persisted the Captain.

"Certain," replied the widow.

Captain Ben sighed. "I thought ma'be you was having a hard row to hoe,
and I thought like enough--"

_What_ he never said, excepting by a beseeching glance at the cheerful
widow, for just then an interruption came from some people after
bathing-suits.

So Captain Ben moved off with a dismal countenance. But before he had
gone far it suddenly brightened. "It might not be for the best," quoth
he to himself, "Like enough not. I was very careful not to commit
myself, and I am very glad I didn't." He smiled as he reflected on his
judicious wariness. "But, however," he continued, "I might as well
finish up this business now. There is Rachel Doolittle. Who knows but
she'd make a likely wife? Lyddy sot a good deal by her. She never had a
quilting or a sewing bee but what nothing would do but she must give
Rachel Doolittle an invite. Yes; I wonder I never decided on her before.
She will be glad of a home sure enough, for she haves to live around, as
it were, upon her brothers."

Captain Ben's feet quickened themselves at these thoughts, and had
almost overtaken his head, when behold! at a sudden turn in the road
there stood Miss Rachel Doolittle, picking barberries from a wayside
bush. "My sakes! If she ain't right here, like Rachel in the Bible!"
ejaculated Captain Ben, taking heart at the omen.

Miss Doolittle looked up from under her tied-down brown hat in surprise
at such a salutation. But her surprise was increased by Captain Ben's
next remark.

"It just came into my mind," said he, "that you was the right one to
take Lyddy's place. You two used to be such great knit-ups that it will
seem 'most like having Lyddy back again. No," he continued, after a
little reflection, "I don't know of anybody I had rather see sitting in
Lyddy's chair and wearing Lyddy's things than yourself."

"Dear me, Captain Lundy, I couldn't think of it. Paul's folks expect me
to stay with them while the boarder-season lasts, and I've as good as
promised Jacob's wife I'll spend the winter with her."

"Ain't that a hard life you are laying out for yourself? And then bum-by
you will get old or sick ma' be, and who is going to want you around
then? Every woman needs a husband of her own to take care of her."

"I'm able