Part 46 (1/2)

anything, of course. George is--is just a little excited over nothin', that's all. He has heard Elvira or some other cat over there at the Harbor, probably. They're jealous because you have had this money left you.”

”It is nothing to do with the money,” Kent a.s.serted. ”Didn't I tell you this noon that you--that we had to be careful of appearances? Didn't I say----”

Again Elizabeth broke in.

”You have said all I want to hear--in this room, now,” she declared.

”There are a good many things for us both to say--and listen to, but not here.... Good night, Cap'n Kendrick. I am sorry I kept you up so late, and I hope all this--I hope you won't let this wicked nonsense trouble you. It isn't worth worrying about. Good night.”

”But, Elizabeth,” urged Sears, anxiously, ”don't you think----”

”Good night. George, you had better come with me. I have some things to say to you.”

She went out. Kent hesitated, paused for a moment, and then followed her. When Judah returned with the tobacco and a fresh cargo of rumors concerning Egbert Phillips he found his lodger not the least interested in either smoke or gossip.

CHAPTER XIII

So Judah was obliged to postpone the telling of his most important news item. But the following morning when, looking heavy-eyed and haggard, as if he had slept but little, Captain Kendrick limped into the kitchen for breakfast, Mr. Cahoon served that item with the salt mackerel and fried potatoes. It was surprising, too--at least Sears found it so. Egbert Phillips, so Judah declared, had given up his rooms at the Central House and had gone, household goods and all, to board and lodge at Joel Macomber's. He was occupying, so Judah said, the very room that Sears himself had occupied when he was taken to his sister's home after the railway accident.

The captain could scarcely believe it. He had not seen Sarah Macomber since the day following the Foam Flake's amazing cut-up on the Orham road, when she had come, in much worriment and anxiety, to learn how badly he was hurt. Her call had been brief, and, as he had succeeded in convincing her that the extra twist to his legs would have no serious effect, she had not called since. But Sarah-Mary, the eldest girl, had brought a basket containing a cranberry pie, a half-peck, more or less, of mola.s.ses cookies, and two tumblers of beach-plum jelly, and Sarah-Mary had said nothing to her Uncle Sears about the magnificent Mr.

Phillips coming to live with them.

”I guess not, Judah,” said the captain. ”Probably you've got it snarled some way. He may have gone there to supper with George Kent and the rest of the yarn sprouted from that.”

But Judah shook his head. ”No snarl about it, Cap'n Sears,” he declared.

”Come straight this did, straight as a spare topmast. Joe Macomber told me so himself. Proud of it, too, Joe was; all kind of swelled up with it, like a pizened shark.”

”But why on earth should he pick out Sarah's? Why didn't he go to Naomi Newcomb's; she keeps a regular boardin'-house? Sarah can't take any more boarders. Her house is overloaded as it is. That was why I didn't stay there. No, I don't believe it, Judah. Joel was just comin' up to blow, that's all. He's a regular puffin'-pig for blowin'.”

But Sarah called that very forenoon and confirmed the news. She had agreed to take Mr. Phillips into her home. Not only that, but he was already there.

”I know you must think it's sort of funny, Sears,” she said, looking rather embarra.s.sed and avoiding her brother's eye. ”If anybody had told me a week ago that I should ever take another boarder I should have felt like askin' 'em if they thought I was crazy. I suppose you think I am, don't you?”

”Not exactly, Sarah--not yet.”

”But you think I most likely will be before I'm through? Well, maybe, but I'm goin' to risk it. You see, I--well, we need the money, for one thing.”

Sears stirred in his chair.

”I could have let you have a little money every once in a while, Sarah,”

he said. ”It's a shame that it would have to be so little. If those legs ever do get s.h.i.+pshape and I get to sea again----”

She stopped him. ”I haven't got so yet awhile that I have to take anybody's money for nothin',” she said sharply. ”There, there, Sears! I know you'd give me every cent you had if I'd let you. I'll tell you why I took Mr. Phillips. He came to supper with George the other night and stayed all the evenin'. He's one of the most interestin' men I ever met in my life. Not any more interestin' than you are, of course,” she added, loyally, ”but in--in a different way.”

”Um ... yes. I shouldn't wonder.”

”Yes, he is. And he liked my supper, and said so. Ate some of everything and praised it, and was just as--as common and everyday and sociable, not a mite proud or--like that.”

”Why in the devil should he be?”