udgment on his blazing words. "Of course
you aren't a cad. I didn't say you were. But you aren't like Bobbie
Tucker or Dr. Blake. They have always known these people, and they
understand them. There are no class distinctions in a town like this,
you know----"

"Have I seemed such a prig to you?"

She cocked her head on one side and considered him, "Not since I talked
to Mrs. Martens about you. She told me how nice you were in Germany."

In Germany; ye gods! Was he nice only in _Germany_?

He stared at her blankly. He had a feeling that he would like to shake
her; that he would like to--kiss her.

In the midst of her conflicting emotions little Miss Matthews arrived,
and behind her steamed Captain Stubbs.

Justin, murmuring inarticulately, acknowledged the introduction to the
captain, and greeted Miss Matthews.

Miss Matthews was very prim and trim in a white shirt-waist and stiff
collar. She had a gray sweater over her arm, and a green veil was tied
over her soft felt hat. She carried in her hand a brown Boston bag, the
contents of which she explained to Bettina.

"I told the captain I would bring some home-made pickles."

Justin gave immediate attention.

"Miss Matthews," he said, "do you mean to say that you three will eat
fish chowder and home-made pickles, and that I shan't be there?"

The little captain, in a glow of hospitality, said heartily, "Now, look
here; can't you come with us?"

Justin showed his white teeth in a flashing smile. "It's an invitation
that I've been fishing for all the morning, but Miss Dolce won't ask
me."

"Don't you want him?" the little captain demanded of Bettina.

"Of course," in the tone of one to whom it didn't really matter.
"Perhaps he can help you with the boat, captain."

Justin, carrying Miss Matthews' bag, helping the captain over with the
supplies, lifting Bettina over the side of the boat with strong arms
which yearned to show their strength, was in a mental attitude far
removed from his King Cophetua mood of the earlier morning. He was at
this moment a slave chained to Bettina's chariot wheel. And the strange
part of it was that he gloried in his chains! He realized that he was
going out with her on a forced invitation, but he was going! And the sea
was like sapphire, and the sun shone!

Little Miss Matthews, looking back afterward on that glorified fishing
trip, was forced to confess that Justin left nothing undone for her
which could be done. Never in her