Part 21 (1/2)

For a moment there was silence, absolute silence, in the best parlor of the Fair Harbor for Mariners' Women. Then that silence was broken.

”What is he sayin'?” wailed Mrs. Aurora Chase. ”Elviry Snowden, why don't you tell me what he's a-sayin'?”

CHAPTER VII

The bomb had burst, the debris had fallen, the smoke had to some extent cleared, the committee, still incoherent but by no means speechless, had retired to the dining room to talk it over. Mrs. Tidditt had accompanied them; and Sears Kendrick and Elizabeth Berry were saying good-by at the front door.

”Well,” observed the captain, dubiously, ”I'm glad you don't think I'm more than nine tenths idiot. It's some comfort to know you can see one tenth of common-sense in the thing. It's more than I can, and that's honest. I give you my word, Miss Elizabeth, when I set sail from Judah's back entry this mornin' I hadn't any more idea that I should undertake the job of handlin' the Fair Harbor than--well, than that Snowden woman had of kissin' that little spitfire that was flyin' up in her face every minute or two while she was tryin' to read that paper.... Ha-ha! that was awfully funny.”

Elizabeth smiled. ”It was,” she agreed. ”And it looks so much funnier to me now than it did then, thanks to you, Cap'n Kendrick. You have taken a great load off my mind.”

”Um--yes, and taken it on my own, I shouldn't wonder. I do hope you'll make it clear to your mother that all I intend doin' is to keep a sort of weather eye on money matters, that's all. She is to have just the same ratin' aboard here that she has always had--and so will you, of course.”

”But I haven't had any real rating, you know. And now I will be more of a fifth wheel than ever. You and mother can manage the Harbor. You won't need me at all. I can take a vacation, can't I? Won't that be wonderful!”

He looked at her in unfeigned alarm.

”Here, here!” he exclaimed. ”Lay to! Come up into the wind! Don't talk that way, Miss Berry, or I'll jump over the rail before I've really climbed aboard this craft. I'm countin' on you to do three thirds of the work, just as I guess you've been doin' for a good while. All I shall be good for--if anything--is to be a sort of reef in the channel, as you might say, something for committees like this one to run their bows on if they get too far off the course.”

”And that will be the most useful thing any one can do, Cap'n Kendrick.

Oh, I shall thank Judge Knowles--in my mind--so many, many times a day for sending you here, I know I shall. I guessed, when he told me you were going to call, that there was something behind that call. And there was. What a wise old dear he is, bless him.”

”Is he? Well I wish I was surer of the wisdom in trappin' me into takin'

this command. However, I have taken it, so I'll have to do the best I can for a while, anyhow. Afterwards--well, probably I won't last _but_ a little while, so we won't worry about more than that. And you'll have to stand by the wheel, Miss Elizabeth. If it hadn't been for you--I mean for the way that committee lit into you--I don't think I should ever have taken charge.”

”I know. And I sha'n't forget. You may count on me, Cap'n Kendrick, for anything I can do to help.”

His face brightened. ”Good!” he exclaimed. ”That's as good as an insurance policy on the s.h.i.+p and cargo. With you to pilot and me to handle the crew she ought to keep somewhere in deep water.... Well, I'll be gettin' back to port. Judah's dinner will be gettin' cold and he won't like that. And to-morrow mornin' I'll come again and we'll have a look at the figures.”

”Yes. I'll have the books and bills and everything ready.... Oh, be careful! Can't I help you down the step?”

He shook his head. ”I can navigate after a fas.h.i.+on,” he said, grimly. ”I get along about as graceful as a brick sloop in a head tide, but, by the Lord Harry, I'll get along somehow.... No, don't, please. I'd rather you didn't help me, if you don't mind.”

Slowly, painfully, and with infinite care he lowered himself down the step. On level ground once more, leaning heavily on his cane, he turned to her and smiled a somewhat shame-faced apology.

”It's silly, I know,” he said, panting a little, ”but I've always been used to doin' about as I pleased and it--somehow it plagues me to think I can't go it alone still. Just stubborn foolishness.”

She shook her head. ”No, it isn't,” she said, quickly. ”I understand.

And I do hope you will be better soon. Of course you will.”

”Will I?... Well, maybe. Good mornin', Miss Berry. Be sure and tell your mother she's to be just as much cap'n as she ever was.”

He hobbled along the walk to the gate. As he pa.s.sed beneath the sign he looked back. She was still standing in the doorway and when he limped in at the entrance of the General Minot place she was there yet, watching him.

He said no word to Judah of his acceptance of the post of commander of the Fair Harbor. He felt that Judge Knowles should be the first to know of it and that he, himself, should be the one to tell him. So, after dinner was over, and Judah had harnessed the old horse to go to the Minot wood lot for a load of pine boughs and brush for kindling, he asked his ex-cook to take him across to the judge's in the wagon, leave him there, and come for him later. Mr. Cahoon, of course, was delighted to be of service but, of course also, he was tremendously curious.

”Hum,” he observed, ”goin' to see the judge again, be you, Cap'n Sears?”

”Yes.”