u, Mr. Daniels?" persisted Miss
Timpson.

East Wellmouth's legal light bowed assent. "A--ahem--a very striking
young lady," he said with dignity. He had scarcely taken his eyes from
the newcomer while she was in the room. John Kendrick said nothing.

When Emily and Thankful returned to the living-room there were
introductions and handshakings. And, following these, a general
conversation lasting until ten o'clock. Then Miss Howes excused herself,
saying that she was a bit tired, bade them all good night and went to
her room.

Captain Obed left soon afterward.

"Well, John," he said to his friend, as they stood together on the front
step, "what do you think of this for a boardin'-house? All I prophesied,
ain't it?"

Kendrick nodded. "All that, and more," he answered, emphatically.

"Like Mrs. Barnes, don't you?"

"Very much. No one could help liking her."

"Um-hm. Well, I told you that, too. And her niece--cousin, I mean--is
just as nice as she is. You'll like her, too, when you know her. . . .
Eh?"

"I didn't speak, Captain."

"Oh, didn't you? Well, it's high time for me to be headin' for home.
Hannah'll be soundin' the foghorn for me pretty soon. She'll think I'VE
been tagged by Abbie Larkin if I don't hurry up and report. See you in
the mornin', John. Good night."

The next forenoon he was on hand, bright and early, and he and Kendrick
went over to the village on another tour of inspection. Captain Obed was
extremely curious to know whether or not his friend had made up his
mind to remain in East Wellmouth, but, as the young man himself did not
volunteer the information, the captain asked no questions. They walked
up and down the main road until dinner time. John said very little, and
was evidently thinking hard. Just before twelve Captain Bangs did ask a
question, his first one.

"Well, John," he said, looking up at the clock in the steeple of the
Methodist Church, "it's about time for us to be thinkin' about takin' in
cargo. Where shall we eat this noon? At the High Cliff again, or do you
want to tackle Darius Holt's? Course you understand I'm game for 'most
anything if you say so, and 'most anything's what we're liable to get
at that Holt shebang. I don't want you to think I've got any personal
grudge. When it comes to that I'm--ho! ho!--well, I'm a good deal in the
frame of mind Kenelm Parker was at the revival meetin' some year ago.
Kenelm just happened in and took one of the back seats. The minis