Part 24 (1/2)

Tidditt, who jerked his arm up and down as if it was a pump handle, and affirmed that she was glad to see him, adding, as an after thought, ”Even if I did see you afore to-day.”

”Now you are just in time, Cap'n Kendrick,” said Miss Elvira. ”We are going to have our usual little 'sing' before we go to bed. Desire--Miss Peasley--plays the melodeon for us and we sing a few selections, sacred selections usually, it is our evening custom. Do join us, Cap'n Kendrick. We should love to have you.”

The captain thanked them, but declined. He had run in only for a moment, he said, a matter of business, and must not stop.

”Besides, I shouldn't be any help,” he added. ”I can't sing a note.”

Miss Snowden would have uttered some genteel protest, but Mrs. Tidditt spoke first.

”Humph! _That_ won't make any difference,” she announced. ”Neither can any of the rest of us--not the right notes.”

Possibly Elvira, or Susanna, might have retorted. The former looked as if she were about to, but Mrs. Aurora Chase came forward.

”And it wasn't more'n ha'f past six neither,” she declared with conviction.

Just why or when it was half past six, or what had happened at that time, or what fragment of conversation Aurora's impaired hearing had caught which led her to think this happening was being discussed, the captain was destined never to learn. For at that instant Miss Berry came into the room, entering from the hall.

”Who is it?” she asked. ”Why, good evening, Cap'n Kendrick.”

She was what two thirds of Bayport would have called ”dressed up.” That is to say, she was wearing a simple afternoon gown instead of the workaday garb in which he had been accustomed to seeing her. It was becoming, even at the first glance he was sure of that.

”Good evening, Cap'n Kendrick,” she said, again. ”I wasn't expecting you this evening. Is anything the matter?”

”Oh no, no! I just ran over for a minute. I--um--yes, that's all.”

He scarcely knew how to explain his errand. He had referred to it as a matter of business, but it was scarcely that. And he could not explain it at all in the presence of the guests, each one so obviously eager to have him do so.

”I just ran in,” he repeated. She looked a little puzzled, and it seemed to him that she hesitated, momentarily. Then--

”Won't you come into the parlor?” she asked. Was it the captain's imagination, or did Elvira and Susanna and Desire and the rest--except Aurora, of course, who had not heard--cast significant looks at each other? It seemed to him that they did, but why? A moment later he understood.

”Come right in, Cap'n,” she urged. ”George is here, but you know him, of course.”

They had walked the length of the hall and were almost at the door when she made this announcement. He paused.

”George?” he repeated.

”Why, yes, George Kent. But that doesn't make a bit of difference. Come in.”

”But, Miss Elizabeth, I didn't realize you had company. I----”

”No, no. Stop, Cap'n Kendrick. George isn't company. He is--just George.

Come in.”

So he went in and George Kent, tall and boyish and good looking, rose to shake hands. He appeared very much at home in that parlor, more so than Sears Kendrick did just then. The latter knew young Kent well, of course, had met him first at Sarah Macomber's and had, during his slow convalescence there, learned to like him. They had not seen much of each other since the captain became Judah Cahoon's lodger, although Kent had dropped in once for a short call.

But Sears had not expected to find him there, that evening, in the best parlor of the Fair Harbor. There was every reason why he should have expected it. Judah had told him that George was a regular visitor and had more than hinted at the reason. But, in the whirl of interest caused by his acceptance of his new position and the added interest of his daily labors with Elizabeth, the captain had forgotten about everything and every one else, Kent included.

But there he was, young, broad-shouldered, handsome, optimistic, buoyant. And there, too, was Elizabeth, also young, and pretty and gayly chatty and vivacious. And there, too, was he, Sears Kendrick, no longer young, even in the actual count of years, and feeling at least twice that count--there he was, a cripple, a derelict.

His call was very brief. The contrast between himself and those two young people was too great, and, to him, at least, too painful. He did not, of course, mention the errand which had brought him there. He could tell Elizabeth the facts concerning the payment of his wages at some other time. He gave some more or less plausible reason for his running in, and, at the end of fifteen minutes or so, ran out. Kent shook hands with him at parting and declared that he was going to call at the Minot place at an early date.

”We've all missed you there at the Macombers', Cap'n,” he said. ”Your sister says it doesn't seem like the same place. And I agree with her, it doesn't. I'm coming to see you within a day or two, sure. May I?”