Part 21 (1/2)

”Yes!” Calvin went on, musing over his pipe. ”I've been a rover and a rambler all my life. Old Ma Sill used to say it, and it's true. When I was at sea I'd hanker for the sh.o.r.e, and sim'lar the other way round.

Take last night, now--but no need to go into that. Fact is, it ain't only a woman needs a home of her own,” he went on, half to himself. ”A man needs it too; his own place and his own folks; yes, sir! And come to find them folks at long last, and find 'em better than what he thought the world contained, why, what I say is, it's a pity if he can't scare up a place. What say, old lady? Ain't that about the way it looked to you and Cap'n along back? You poor old dried up stockfish,” he added to himself, ”I s'pose you was young once, though no one would suspicion it to look at you.”

”Dust and ashes!” said the old woman. ”Dust and ashes! Jesus'll kerry me through.”

”I shouldn't wonder!” said Calvin Parks. And just then Miss Phrony Marlin came in from the pantry with s.h.i.+ning eyes.

CHAPTER XVI

TOIL AND TROUBLE

”Happy New Year!” said Calvin Parks. ”Happy New Year, Mr. Cheeseman!

Happy New Year, Lonzo! happy New Year, the whole concern!”

”Humph!” said Mr. Ivory Cheeseman.

”If this ain't a pretty day to start the new year with, then I never see one, that's all,” Calvin went on. ”Crisp and clear, everything cracklin'

with frost. Hossy's got a white mustash on him like a general. How's trade, Mr. Cheeseman?”

”Humph!” said Mr. Cheeseman again.

Calvin looked at him. The old gentleman's alert cheerfulness was gone; his aspect was grim, and the glance that met Calvin's was stern enough.

”What's wrong, sir?” Calvin inquired solicitously. ”Ain't you feelin'

well? You don't seem like yourself.”

”I ain't!” said Mr. Cheeseman briefly.

”I want to know!” said Calvin, with an inflection of sympathetic inquiry. ”Is it anything you feel disposed to mention, Mr. Cheeseman, or do I intrude?”

”It's something I've got to mention!” said Mr. Cheeseman.

He looked at Calvin again, and meeting his glance of open wonder, his own softened as if in spite of himself.

”Step inside, Mr. Parks!” he said, gravely. ”I guess we've got to have a little talk. Lonzo, you might run on home if you're a mind to; that's a good son!”

In the warm, cosy kitchen, where the little stove still glowed like a friendly demon, the old man took his customary seat, and Calvin Parks, his brown eyes very round and large, sat down beside him. There was a moment's silence; then--

”Friend Parks,” said Mr. Cheeseman, ”I've taken a great interest in you ever since you first come to my store. You've been a man I liked, and a man I trusted; and I've tried to help you when and how I could.”

”I should say you had!” said Calvin warmly. ”You've been the best friend ever I had, Mr. Cheeseman, except one, and I want you to understand that I appreciate it, sir.”

”I've tried,” Mr. Cheeseman repeated, ”partly on the accounts just mentioned, and partly because I understood you was wishful to marry a lady that is well spoken of by all, and that you appeared to set store by. That's so, ain't it?”

”That's so!” said Calvin briefly.

”Well, now!” the old man continued. ”Havin' so helped, and so understood, it ain't real pleasant to me to hear all round that you are goin' to marry another woman.”

”_What_!” Calvin Parks sprang from his seat, and seemed to fill the little room. ”Say that again! Me marry another woman? What do you mean, sir?”