Part 34 (2/2)

Again his lodger came to the rescue.

”Well, Mr. Phillips,” he said, ”you gave us all a little surprise, didn't you? Of course we expected you in a general sort of way, but we didn't know when you would make port.”

Egbert bowed. ”I scarcely knew myself,” he said. ”My plans were somewhat vague and--ah--rather hurriedly made, naturally. Of course my great sorrow, my bereavement----”

He paused, sighed and then brushed the subject away with a wave of his glove.

”You won't mind, I'm sure,” he said, ”if I don't dwell upon that just now. It is too recent, the shock is too great, I really cannot.... But I am so sorry to hear of your disability. A railway wreck, I understand.

Outrageous carelessness, no doubt. Really, Captain Kendrick, one cannot find excuses for the reckless mismanagement of your American railways.... Why, what is it? Don't you agree with me?”

The captain had looked up momentarily. Now he was looking down again.

”Don't you agree with me?” repeated Egbert. ”Surely you, of all people, should not excuse their recklessness.”

Sears shook his head. ”Oh, I wasn't tryin' to,” he replied. ”I was only wonderin' why you spoke of 'em as 'your' railroads. They aren't mine, you know. That is, any more than they are Judah's--or yours--or any other American's. No such luck.”

Mr. Phillips coughed, smiled, coughed again, and then explained that he had used the word 'your' without thinking.

”I have been so long an--ah--shall I say exile, Captain Kendall,” he observed, ”that I have, I presume, fallen somewhat into the European habit of thinking and--ah--speaking. Habit is a peculiar thing, is it not?”

Mr. Cahoon, intensely interested in the conversation, evidently felt it his duty to contribute toward it.

”You're right there, Mr. Phillips,” he announced, with emphasis.

”Don't talk to me about habits! When a man's been to sea as long's I have he runs afoul of pretty nigh every kind of habit there is, seems so. Why, I knew a feller one time--down to Surinam 'twas--I was cook and steward aboard the old _Highflyer_--and this feller--he wan't a white man, nor he wan't all n.i.g.g.e.r nuther, kind of in between, one of them--er--er--octoreens, that's what he was--well, this feller he had the dumdest habit. Every day of his life, about the middle of the dog watch he'd up and----”

”Judah.”

”Aye, aye, Cap'n Sears?”

”You'll be late down at the store, won't you?”

”Hey? Oh, I don't care how late I be. I don't know's I'm so dreadful partic'lar about goin' down there to-night, anyhow. Don't know but I'd just as live stay here.”

”I'd go.”

”Hey? Oh, I----”

”I'd go, if I were you. You know there's likely to be a good deal goin'

on.”

”Think so, do you?” Judah was evidently on the fence. ”Course, I---- Well, maybe I had better, come to think of it. Good night, Mr. Phillips.

I'll tell you about that octoreen feller next time I see you. So long, Cap'n Sears. I'll report about,” with a wink, ”the cacklin' later.

Creepin'! it's most eight now, ain't it?”

He hurried out. Egbert looked rather relieved. He smiled tolerantly.

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