than I could ever find time to work up into mitts or comforters,
so I have employed the Miss Seawards to do it for me--at so much a pair.
But they don't know it's for me, so be careful not to--"

"Yes, yes, I see--more scheming. Well, I'll take care not to blab."

"And I sent the worsted and arranged the transaction through such a dear
pretty little fisher-boy from Yarmouth. But perhaps you have seen him
at your lodging."

"No, I haven't seen him, but I've heard a good deal about him. The
ladies seem to be as much impressed with his sweetness and prettiness as
yourself, Miss Ruth. For my part, I'm not over fond o' sweet pretty
boys. I prefer 'em rough-cast or even ugly, so long's they're smart an'
willin'."

"Oh! but you have no idea what a smart and willing boy he is," said
Ruth, firing up in defence of her little friend. "I assure you he is
most willing and intelligent, and I do believe he would scratch his face
and twist his little nose into a screw if by so doing he could make
himself ugly, for I have observed that he is terribly annoyed when
people call him pretty--as they often foolishly do."

"Well, I'll be off now on this little business," said the captain,
rising and smoothing his hat with his cuff. "But--but--Miss Ruth--
excuse me, you said something about sending the Miss Seawards a _rich_
lodger when you sent me. How d'ee know I'm rich?"

"Well, I only guessed it," returned Ruth with a laugh, "and, you know,
more than once you have hinted to me that you had got on very well--that
God had prospered you--I think these were the words you have sometimes
used."

"These are the words I would always use," returned the captain. "The
prosperity that has attended me through life I distinctly recognise at
being the result of God's will, not of my wisdom. Don't we see that the
cleverest of men sometimes fail, and, on the other hand, the most stupid
fellows sometimes succeed? It is God that setteth up one and putteth
down another."

"I'm glad to hear that you think so clearly on this point, captain,
though I did not know it before. It is another bond between us.
However, if I have been wrong in supposing you to be rich, I--"

"Nay, I did not deny it, Miss Ruth, but it does not follow that a man
means to say he is rich when he says that he has got on very well.
However, my dear, I don't mind tellin' you, as a secret that I _am_
rich--as rich, that is, as there's any use to be, an' far richer than I