Part 17 (2/2)

While Miss Berry and her mother had been exchanging hurried questions and answers the parrot-cage babble from the distant places somewhere at the end of the long entry beyond the door had been continuous. Now it suddenly grew louder. Plainly the babblers were approaching along that entry and babbling as they came.

A moment more and they were in the room, seven of them. In the lead was the dignified Miss Elvira herself, an impressive figure of gentility in black silk and a hair breast pin. Close behind her, of course, was the rotund Mrs. Aurora Chase, and equally close--yes even a little in advance of Aurora, was a solidly built female with gray hair, a square chin, and a very distinct mustache. The others were in the rear, but as they came in one of these, a little woman in a plain gingham dress, who wore steel spectacles upon a sharp little nose, left the group and took a stand a little apart, regarding the company with lifted chin and a general air of determination and uncompromising defiance. Later on Captain Sears was destined to learn that the little woman was Mrs.

Esther Tidditt, and the lady with the mustache Mrs. Susanna Brackett.

And that the others were respectively Mrs. Hattie Thomas, Miss Desire Peasley, and Mrs. Constance Cahoon. Each of the seven was, of course, either a captain's widow or his sister.

Just at the moment the captain, naturally, recognized n.o.body except Miss Snowden and Mrs. Chase. Nor did he notice individual peculiarities except that something, excitement or a sudden jostle or something, had pushed Aurora's rippling black locks to one side, with the result that the part which divided the ripples, instead of descending plumb-line fas.h.i.+on from the crown of the head to a point directly in the center of the forehead, now had a diagonal twist and ended over the left eye. The effect was rather astonis.h.i.+ng, as if the upper section of the lady's head had slipped its moorings.

He had scarcely time to notice even this, certainly none in which to speculate concerning its cause. Miss Snowden, who held a paper in her hand, stepped forward and began to speak, gesticulating with the paper as she did so. She paid absolutely no attention to the masculine visitor. She was trembling with excitement and it is doubtful if she even saw him.

”Mrs. Berry,” she began, ”we are here--we have come here, these ladies and I--we have come here--we---- Oh, what _is_ it?”

This last was addressed to Mrs. Chase, who was tugging at her skirt.

”Talk louder,” cautioned Aurora, in a stage whisper. ”I can't hear you.”

With an impatient movement Miss Snowden freed her garment and began again.

”Mrs. Berry,” she repeated, ”we are here, these ladies and I, to--to ask a question and to express our opinion on a very important matter. We are all agreed----”

Here she was again interrupted, this time by Mrs. Esther Tidditt, the little woman in the gingham dress. Mrs. Tidditt's tone was brisk and sharp.

”No, we ain't agreed neither,” she announced, with a snap of her head which threatened s.h.i.+pwreck to the steel spectacles. ”_I_ think it's everlastin' foolishness. Don't you say _I'm_ agreed to it, Elvira Snowden.”

Elvira drew her thin form erect and glared. ”We are practically agreed,”

she proclaimed crus.h.i.+ngly. ”You are the only one who doesn't agree.”

”Humph! And I'm the only one that is practical. Of all the silly----”

”Esther Tidditt, was you appointed to do the talking for this committee or was I?”

”You was, but that don't stop me from talkin' when I want to. I ain't on the committee, thank the good lord. I'm my own committee.”

This declaration of independence was received with an outburst of indignant exclamations, in the midst of which Mrs. Chase could be heard demanding to be told what was the matter and who said what. Elizabeth Berry stilled the hubbub.

”Hush, hus.h.!.+” she pleaded. ”Don't, Esther, please. You can say your word later. I want mother--and Cap'n Kendrick--to hear this, all of it.”

The captain was still standing. He had risen when the ”committee”

entered the room. Its members, most of them, had been so intent upon the business which had brought them there that they had ignored his presence. Now, of course, they turned to look at him. There was curiosity in their look but by no means enthusiastic approval. Miss Snowden's nod was decidedly snippy. She looked, sniffed and turned again to Mrs. Berry.

”We want your mother to hear it,” she declared. ”We've come here so she shall hear it--all of it. If--if _others_--who may not be 'specially interested want to hear they can, I suppose. I don't know why not....

_We_ haven't anything to hide. _We_ ain't ashamed--are not, I should say. Are we?” turning to those behind and beside her.

Mrs. Brackett announced that she certainly should say not, so did several others. There was a general murmur of agreement. Every one continued to look at the captain. He was embarra.s.sed.

”I think perhaps I had better be goin',” he said, addressing Miss Berry.

”I ought to be gettin' home, anyway.”

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