Part 28 (1/2)

He helped the captain from the buggy and, at Sears' request, led the Foam Flake around the corner to the hitching rail. When he returned Miss Berry had gone upstairs to the dressing-room to leave her packages.

Asaph was still surprised.

”Mighty glad to see you out again, Cap'n,” he declared. ”I heard you was better, but I didn't hardly cal'late to see you takin' your girl to ride so soon. Hey? He, he, he!”

Sears-laughed long enough to seem polite. Asaph laughed longer.

”And 'tain't _your_ girl you're takin' nuther, is it?” he said. ”When I looked in that buggy just now I don't know when I've been more sot back.

'Evenin', George,' says I. And 'twan't George Kent at all, 'twas you.

Ain't been to work and cut George out, have you, Cap'n Sears? He, he, he! That's another good one, ain't it!”

The captain smiled--more politeness--and inquired if he and Miss Berry were the first ones at the hall.

”Is any one else here?” he asked.

”Yus,” said Mr. Tidditt.

”Who?”

”Me. He, he, he! Kind of caught you that time, didn't I, Cap'n? Wasn't expectin' that, was you? Except me, you and 'Liz'beth's the fust ones.

Be plenty more in half an hour, though. 'Bout all hands in Bayport's comin' to this time, everybody but the Orthodox and the Methodists and the Come-Outers. They cal'late goin' to a play-actin' time is same as goin' to Tophet. I tell 'em I'd ruther go to the show, 'cause I'd have a little fun out of it, and from what I hear there ain't much fun in t'other place. He, he, he! But say, how'd it happen George Kent ever let 'Liz'beth Berry go anywheres without him? Where _is_ George?”

Sears was rather glad when the arrival of Sam Ryder and Carleton, two other members of the cast of ”Down by the Sea” attracted the attention of the garrulous Asaph and led the latter, in their company, upstairs. A moment or so later another figure approached from the blackness to the circle of light cast by the big s.h.i.+p's lantern over the hall door.

”Why, h.e.l.lo, George!” hailed Sears.

Young Kent looked up, recognized the speaker and said ”Good evening.” He did not seem surprised as Mr. Tidditt had been to find the captain there. The latter remarked upon it.

”Why, George,” he observed, ”I must say you take my bein' here all alone pretty calmly. Ase Tidditt all but capsized when he saw me bring the Foam Flake into dock.”

Kent nodded. ”I knew you were here,” he said. ”Elizabeth came down with you, I suppose.”

”Why, yes. Did she tell you she was goin' to risk life and limb aboard my vessel?”

”No,” briefly.

”Oh. Then how did you know?”

”I stopped at the Harbor. Her mother said she had gone with you....

Where is she; upstairs?”

”Up in the dressin' room, I guess. She had to come so early because there were things to bring and some work for her to do before you and the others got here, she said.”

”What? Did she say before _I_ got here?”

”Eh? Why, no, didn't mention you in particular. She just said----”

Kent interrupted. ”I see,” he said, shortly. ”All right, never mind.”