ain't reason--it's what I
called it in the beginnin', craziness. Me and Zoeth can't go crazy for
anybody."

"Then you decline?"

"Yes, sir; I'm mighty sorry but of course we can't do such a thing. Me
and Zoeth, one of us a bach all his life, and t'other one a--a widower
for twenty years, for us to take a child to bring up! My soul and body!
Havin' hung on to the heft of our senses so far, course we decline! We
can't do nothin' else."

"And you, Mr. Hamilton?"

Zoeth appeared to hesitate. Then he asked:

"What sort of a girl is she?"

"Mary-'Gusta? She's a bright child, and a well-behaved one, generally
speaking. Rather old for her years, and a little--well, peculiar. That
isn't strange, considering the life she has led since her mother's
death. But she is a good girl and a pretty little thing. I like her; so
does my wife."

"That was her at the cemetery, wasn't it? She was with that Hobbs
woman?"

"Yes."

"I thought so. Shadrach and I met her when we was over here two years
ago. I thought the one at the graveyard was her. Poor little critter!
Where is she now; at the house--at Marcellus's?"

"Yes; that is, I suppose she is."

"Do you--do you cal'late we could see her if we went there now?"

"Yes, I am sure you could."

Zoeth rose.

"Come on, Shadrach," he said, "let's go."

The Captain stared at him.

"Go?" he repeated. "Where? Home, do you mean?"

"No, not yet. I mean over to Marcellus's to see that little girl."

"Zoeth Hamilton! Do you mean to tell me--What do you want to see her
for? Do you want to make it harder for her and for us and for all hands?
What good is seein' her goin' to do? Ain't it twice as easy to say no
now and be done with it?"

"I suppose likely 'twould be, but it wouldn't be right Marcellus asked
us to do this thing for him and--"

"Jumpin' Judas! ASKED us! Do you mean to say you're thinkin' of doin'
what he asked? Are you loony, too? Are you--"

"Shh, Shadrach! He asked us, as a last favor, to take charge of his
girl. I feel as you do that we can't do it, 'tain't sensible nor
possible for us to do it, but--"

"There ain't any buts."

"But the very least we can do is go and see her and talk to her."

"What for? So we'll feel meaner and more sneaky when we HAVE to say no?
I shan't go to see her."

"All right. Then I shall. You can wait here for me till I come back."

"Hold on, Zoeth! Hold on! Don't--"

But Mr. Hamilton was at the door and did not turn back. Jud