Part 27 (2/2)

Mother and the rest of the Harbor people are going later, of course....

So, if you are sure that I and my bundles won't be nuisances----”

He was sure, emphatically and enthusiastically sure. But his surprise was great and he voiced it involuntarily.

”I supposed, of course,” he said, ”that your pa.s.sage was booked long ago. I supposed George had attended to that.”

Her answer was brief, but there was an air of finality about it which headed off further questions.

”I am not going with him,” she said.

So this was his second cause for good spirits, the fact that Elizabeth Berry was to ride with him to the hall that evening. It was a very slight inconsequential reason surely, but somehow he found it sufficient. She was going with him merely because he and the Foam Flake and the buggy furnished the most convenient method of transportation for her and her packages, but she was going--and she was not going with George Kent. There was a certain wicked pleasure in the last thought. He was ashamed of it, but the pleasure was there in spite of the shame.

Kent had so much that he had not, but here was one little grain of advantage to enter upon the Kendrick side of the ledger; Elizabeth Berry was not going to the town hall with Kent, but with him.

He made but one protest and that only because his conscience goaded him into making it.

”I don't know as I ought to let you, Miss Elizabeth,” he said. ”I'm takin' a chance, I suppose, that perhaps you shouldn't take. This is my first voyage under my own command since I ran on the rocks. I may strike another reef, you can't tell.”

She looked at him and smiled.

”I am not afraid,” she said.

So, in spite of the gathering clouds and the falling barometer, Captain Sears was cheerful as he smoked beneath the locust tree. After a time he rose and limped down to the gate. Doctor Sheldon's equipage was standing by the Knowles. .h.i.tching post just beyond across the road. The doctor himself came out of the house and the captain hailed him.

”How is the judge?” he asked. Doctor Sheldon shook his head.

”No better,” he replied. ”He is weaker every day and last week he had an attack that was so severe I was afraid it was the end. He weathered it, though.”

”Why, yes. I saw him on Sunday and he was as full of jokes and s.p.u.n.k as ever, seemed to me. His voice wasn't quite as strong, that's all. He is a great man, Judge Knowles. Bayport will miss him tremendously when he goes. So shall I, for that matter, and I haven't known him very long.”

”We'll all miss him.”

”There isn't a chance, I suppose? In the long run----”

The doctor's look caused him to stop the sentence in the middle.

”There isn't any question of long runs,” said Sheldon, gravely. ”The next one of these seizures will end it. He has been a great fighter and he never gives up; that is why he is here. But the fight is practically over. The next attack will be the last.”

Sears was deeply concerned. ”Dear, dear,” he said. ”I didn't realize it was quite so bad. And that attack may come--next month, or even next week, I presume likely?”

”Yes.”

The captain's good spirits were dashed for the time. His regard and admiration for the old judge had grown steadily during their brief acquaintance. He pictured the rugged, determined face as he had seen it Sunday, and heard again the voice, weak but drily humorous or indomitably pugnacious. It did not seem as if a spirit like that could be so near surrender. Doctor Sheldon must be over apprehensive.

It was but seven o'clock when he drove the Foam Flake up to the side door of the Fair Harbor and his pa.s.senger stowed her various bundles about his feet in the bottom of the buggy and then climbed in herself.

The drive to the town hall was made in good time, the Foam Flake considered, and--to the captain at any rate--it was a most pleasant excursion. There was the unaccustomed sensation of once more being free from orders or domination.

There was little conversation during the drive. Sears attempted it, but his pa.s.senger was not talkative. She seemed to be thinking of something else and her answers were brief and absent-minded. Nevertheless Sears Kendrick enjoyed their drive and was almost sorry when the Foam Flake halted, snorting, or sneezing, violently, by the hall platform. The building was as yet but dimly lighted and Asaph Tidditt, the janitor, was the only person about. Asaph, hearing the Foam Flake's sneeze, came to the door.

”Well, I swan!” he exclaimed. ”Is that you, 'Liz'beth? You're good and early, ain't you? Evenin', George. Why, 'tain't George. Who is it? Well, well, well, Cap'n Sears, this _is_ a surprise!”

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