Mrs。Beasley，herhearingnowwithinforty-fivedegreesofthenormal，grewinterested。Sheusheredhervisitorintotheadjoiningroom，andprofferedherachair。Thatsittingroomwasawonderofitskind，eventotheteacher'saccustomedeyes。Agilt-
　　framedcrayonenlargementofthelateMr。Beasleyhunginthecenterofthebroadestwallspace，andwasnottheugliestthingintheapartment。Havingsaidthis，furtherdescriptionisunnecessary——particularlytothosewhorememberMr。Beasley'spersonalappearance。
　　“WhatyousointerestedintheThayersfor？”inquiredDebby。“Oneoftheheirs，beyou？Theydidn'tleavenothin'。“
　　No，theschoolmistresswasnotanheir。Wasnotevenarelativeofthefamily。Butshewas——wasinterested，justthesame。Afriendofherswasarelative，and——
　　“Whatisyourfriend？”inquiredtheinquisitor。“Aman？”
　　TherewasnoreasonwhyMissDawesshouldhavechangedcolor，but，accordingtoDebby'ssubsequenttestimony，shedid；sheblushed，sothewidowdeclares。
　　“No，“sheprotested。“Oh，no！it'sa——she'sachild，that'sall——alittlegirl。But——“
　　“Maybeyou'regettin'uponeofthemgeographicaltrees，“suggestedMrs。Beasley。“I'veseen'em，fustsettlersdowninthetrunk，andchildrenandgrandchildrenspreadin'outinthebranches。Isthatit？”
　　Herewasanavenueofescape。Phoebestretchedthetruthatrifle，andadmittedthatthat，orsomethingofthesort，waswhatshewasengagedin。Theexplanationseemedtobesatisfactory。Debbyaskedhervisitor'sname，and，misunderstandingit，addressedheras“MissDorcas“thereafter。ThensheproceededtogiveherreminiscencesoftheThayers，anditdidnottakelongforthedisappointedteachertodiscoverthat，forallpracticalpurposes，thesereminiscenceswerevalueless。Mrs。Beasleyrememberedmanythings，butnothingatallconcerningJohnThayer'slifeintheWest，northenameoftheshiphesailedin，norwhohisshipmateswere。
　　“Heneverwrotehomebutonceortwiceaforehedied，“shesaid。
　　“AndwhenhedidEmily，hiswife，nevertoldmewhatwasinhisletters。Shealwaysburnt'em，Iguess。Iusedtohuntaroundfor'emwhenshewasout，butsheburnt'emtospiteme，Ical'late。
　　Herandmedidn'tgetalonganytoowell。ShesaidItalkedtoomuchtootherfolksaboutwhatwasnoneoftheirbusiness。Now，anybodythatknowsmeknowsTHATain'toneofmyfailin's。Itoldherso；saysI——“
　　Andsoonfortenminutes。ThenPhoebeventuredtorepeatthewords“outWest，“andhercompanionwentoffonanewtack。ShehadjustbeenWestherself。Shehadbeenonavisittoherhusband'sniece，wholivedinArizona。InBlazeton，Arizona。
　　“It'sthenicesttowneveryousee，“shecontinued。“Andthesmartest，mostup-to-dateplace。TalkabouttheWestbein'
　　oncivilized！Myland！yououghttoseethattown！Electriclights，andtelephones，and——and——Idon'tknowwhatall！Why，MissWhat's-your-name——MissDorcas，marm，youjustoughttoseethephotygraphsI'vegotthatwastookoutthere。Myniece，shetook'emwithoneofthemlittlemitesofcameras。Youwouldn'tbelievesuchalittleboxofathingcouldtakesuchphotygraphs。I'mgoin'toget'emandshow'emtoyou。No，sir！youain'tgottogo，neither。Setrightstillandletmefetchthemphotygraphs。
　　'Twon'tbeamiteoftrouble。I'dlovetodoit。“
　　Protestswereunavailing。Thephotographs，atleastfiftyofthem，wereproduced，andthesufferingcallerwasshowntheBlazetonCityHall，andtheBlazeton“PalaceHotel，“andthehomeoftheBeasleyniece，takenfromthefront，therear，andbothsides。WitheachspecimenDebbydeliveredadescriptivelecture。
　　“Youseethathouse？”sheasked。“Well，'tain'tmuchofaonetolookat，butit'sgotthemostinterestin'storytaggedontoit。
　　ImadeEva，that'smyniece，takeapictureofitjustonthataccount。Thewomanthatlivesthere'shadthehardesttime。Herfustname'sDesire，andthatkindofmademetakeaninterestinherrightoff，'causeIhadanAuntDesireonce，andit'sanameyoudon'thearveryoften。AfterwardsIgottoknowherrealwell。
　　Shewasawidderwoman，likeme，onlyshedidn'thaveasmuchsenseasI'vegot，andwentandmarriedasecondtime。'Twas'longin1886shedoneit。ThismanHiggins，hewenttoworkforheronherplace，andprettysoonhemarriedher。Theylivedtogether，principallyonherfusthusband'sinsurancemoney，Ical'late，untilayearorsoago。Thentheinsurancemoneygiveout，andMr。
　　Higginshesays：'Oldwoman，'hesays——I'Dneverletahusbandofminecallme'oldwoman，'butDesiredidn'tseemtomind——'Oldwoman，'hesays，'I'mgoin'overtoPhoenix'——that'sanothercityinArizona——'tolookforajob。'Andhewent，andsheain'theardhide——Imeanseenhidenorheardhair——WhatDOESailme？Sheain'tseennorheardofhimsince。Andsheadvertisedintheweeklypaper，andIdon'tknowwhatall。Shethinkshewasmurdered，youknow；that'swhatmakesitsosortofcreepyandinterestin'。
　　Everybodywasawfulkindtoher，andwegottoberealgoodfriends。Why，I——“
　　Thiswasbutthebeginning。ItwasevidentthatMrs。BeasleyhadthoroughlyenjoyedherselfinBlazeton，andthatthesorrowsofthebereavedDesireHigginshadbeenoneoftheprincipalsourcesofthatenjoyment。Theschoolmistressendeavoredtoturnthesubject，butitwasuseless。
　　“Ifetchedhomeawholepileofthemnewspapers，“continuedDebby。
　　“Theywasawfulinterestin'；fullofpicturesofBlazetonbuildin'sandleadin'folksandall。AndinsomeofthebacknumberswastheadvertisementaboutMr。Higgins。IdowishIcouldshow'emtoyou，butIlent'emtoMrs。AtwooduptotheCenter。If'twan'tsuchawaysI'dgoandfetch'em。Mrs。Atwood'sbeenawfulnicetome。ShetookcareofmytrunksandthingswhenIwentWest——yes，andaforethatwhenIwenttoBayporttokeephouseforthatmiser'bleCap'nWhittaker。Iain'ttoldyouaboutthat，butIwillbyandby。Themtrunkshadlotsofthingsin'emthatIdidn'twanttolosenorhaveanybodysee。Mydiaries——I'vekeptadiarysince1850——and——“
　　“Diaries？”interruptedPhoebe，graspingatstraws。“DidyoukeepadiarywhileyouwereattheThayers？”
　　“Yes。Now，whydidn'tIthinkofthatafore？More'nlikelythere'dbesomethin'inthattohelpyouwiththatgeographicaltree。Iusedtoputdowneverythingthathappened，and——Whereyougoin'？”
　　MissDaweshadrisenandwaspeeringoutofthewindow。
　　“Iwaslookingtoseeifmydriverwasanywhereabout，“shereplied。“IthoughtperhapshewoulddriveovertoMrs。Atwood'sandgetthediaryforyou。ButIdon'tseehim。“
　　Justthen，fromaroundthecornerofthehouse，peepedanagitatedface；anagitatedforefingerbeckoned。Debbysteppedtothewindowbesidehervisitor，andthefaceandfingerwentoutofsightasifpulledbyastring。
　　MissPhoebesmiled。
　　“IthinkI'llgooutandlookforhim，“shesaid。“Hemustbenearhere。I'llberightback，Mrs。Beasley。“
　　Withoutstoppingtoputonherjacket，shehurriedthroughthediningroom，outofthedoor，andaroundthecorner。ThereshefoundMr。Bangsinahighlynervousstate。
　　“Whydidn'tyoutellme'twasDebbyBeasleyyouwascomin'tosee？”
　　hedemanded。“Ifyou'dmentionedthatdeefimage'snameyou'dnevergotMEtodriveyou，Itellyouthat！”
　　“Yes，“answeredtheteachersweetly。“Iimaginedthat。That'swhyIdidn'ttellyou，Mr。Bangs。NowIwantyoutodomeafavor。
　　WillyoudriveovertoTrumetCenter，anddeliveranoteandgetapackageforme？Thenyoucancomebackhere，andIshallbereadytostartforhome。“
　　“Drive！Drivenothin'！Theblacksmith'sout，andwon'tbebackforanotherhour。Hisboy'sthere，buthe'sabigenoughlunkheadtotrybailin'outadorywithafork，andthatbuggyaxleisbentsoit'ssimplygottobefixed。I'dnomoregohometoKeturywiththatbuggyas'tisthanI'd——Oh！mylandoflove！”
　　Theejaculationwasalmostagroan。Thereatthecorner，eartrumpetadjusted，andspectaclesglistening，stoodDebbyBeasley。
　　Baileyappearedtowiltunderhergazeasifthespectaclesweretwinsuns。MissDaweslookedasifsheverymuchwantedtolaugh。
　　Thewidowstaredinsilence。
　　“How——howd'yedo，Mrs。Beasley？”falteredMr。Bangs，notforgettingtoraisehisvoice。“Ihopeyou'relookin'aswellasyoufeel。Imean，Ihopeyou'resmart。“
　　Mrs。Beasleynoddeddecisively。
　　“Yes，“sheanswered。“I'mprettytoler'ble，thankyou。Whatwasthematter，Mr。Bangs？Whydidn'tyoucomein？Doyouusuallymakeyourcallsroundthecorner？”
　　Thegentlemanaddressedseemedunabletoreply。Theschoolmistresscametotherescue。
　　“Youmustn'tblameMr。Bangs，Mrs。Beasley，“sheexplained。“Hewasn'tresponsibleforwhathappenedatCaptainWhittaker's。Heisthegentlemanwhodrovemeoverhere。IwasgoingtosendhimtoMrs。Atwood'sforthediary。“
　　“WhosaidIwasblamin'him？”queriedthewidow。“If'twasthatlittleTiddittthingImightfeeldifferent。But，considerin'thatIgotthishornfromMr。Bangs，I'mwillin'toletbygonesbepast。
　　Ithelpsmyhearin'alot。Themear-fixin'swasgoodwhiletheylasted，buttheygotoutofkilterquick。_I_shan'tbotherMr。
　　Bangs。Ifhecansquarehisownconscience，I'msatisfied。“
　　Bailey'sconsciencewasnottroublinghimgreatly，andheseemedrelieved。Phoebetoldofthedamagedbuggy。
　　“Humph！”gruntedthewidow。“Thehorsedidn'tgetbent，too，didhe？”
　　Mr。Bangsindignantlydeclaredthatthehorsewasallright。
　　“Um——hum。Well，then，IguessIcansupplyacarriage。MyfustcousinEzrathatdiedusedtobedoctorhere，andhegivemehissulkywhenhegotanewone。It'soutinthebarn。Gofetchyourhorse，andharnesshimin。I'llbereadytimetheharnessin'sdone。“
　　“You？”gaspedtheteacher。“Youdon'tneedtogo，Mrs。Beasley。I
　　wouldn'tthinkofgivingyouthattrouble。“
　　“Notroubleatall。Iwouldn'ttrustnobodyelsewiththemtrunks。
　　Andbesides，Ialwaysdoenjoyridin'。Youcouldgo，too，MissDorcas，butthesulkyseat'stoonarrerforthree。Youcansetinthesettin'roomtillwegetback。'Twon'ttakeuslong。Don'tsayanotherword；I'mA-GOIN'。“
　　CHAPTERXVI
　　AREMARKABLEDRIVEANDWHATFOLLOWED
　　ThenumberofreasonsgivenbyMr。Bangsoneaftertheother，toprovethatitwouldbequiteimpossibleforhimtobeMrs。
　　Beasley'scharioteerwasacredittotheresourcesofhisinvention。Theblacksmithmightbebackanyminute；itwasdinnertime，andhewashungry；Henry，thehorse，wastired；itwasn'tanicedayforriding，andhewouldcomeoversomeothertimeandtakethewidowout；he——ButDebbyhadaconclusiveanswerforeachprotest。
　　“Yousaidyourselftheblacksmithwouldn'tbebackforanhour，“
　　sheobserved。“Andyoucanleavewordwiththeboywhathe'stodowhenhedoescome。Asfordinner，I'llberealgladtogiveyouandMissDorcasasnacksoon'swegetback。Idon'tmindifitain'tapleasantday；alittlefreshair'lldomegood。Ibeenshutupherehouse-cleanin'eversinceIgotbackfromoutWest。
　　Now，hurryrightalong，andfetchyourhorse。I'llunlockthebarn。“
　　“But，Mrs。Beasley，“putintheschoolmistress，“whycouldn'tyougiveusanotetoMrs。Atwoodandletusstopforthediaryonourwayhome？Icouldreturnittoyoubymail。Oryoumightgetityourselfsomeotherdayandmailittome。“
　　“No，no！Neverputofftillto-morrerwhatyoucandoto-day。Myhusbandwasagreathandtoputoffandputoff。ForthelasteightyearsofhislifeIwasathimtobuyanewgo-to-meetin'
　　suitofclothes。Theonehehadwasbluetostartwith，butitfadedtoabrown，and，towardthelastofit，Ideclareifitdidn'tcommencetoturngreen。Nothin'Icouldsaywouldmakehimheaveitawayeventhen。Seemedtothinkmoreofitthanever。
　　Saidhewantedtohangtoitaspellandseewhat'twouldturnnext。Buthediedandwaslaidoutinthatsamesuit，andIwassomortifiedatthefuneralIcouldn'tthinkofnothin'else。No，I'llgoafterthempapersandthediarywhilethey'refreshinmymind。Andbesides，doyous'poseI'dletSarahAnnAtwoodrummagethroughmytrunks？Iguessnot！”
　　Phoebebegantobesorryshehadthoughtofsendingforthediary，particularlyasthechanceofitscontainingvaluableinformationwassoremote。Mrs。Beasleywentintothehousetodressfortheride。Theschoolmistresswentwithherasfarasthesittingroom。
　　TheperturbedBaileystalkedoff，muttering，totheblacksmith's。
　　Inalittlewhilehereturned，leadingHenrybythebridle。Debby，adornedwiththebefloweredbonnetshehadwornwhenshearrivedattheCyWhittakerplace，andwithablackclothcapeoverherleanshoulders，waswaitingforhimbytheopendoorofthebarn。Thecapehadafurcollar——“catfur，“soMr。Bangssaidafterwardsindescribingit。
　　“Pullthesulkyrightout，“commandedthewidow。
　　Baileystaredintotheblackinteriorofthebarn。
　　“Whichisit？”heshouted。
　　Mrs。Beasleypointedwithhereartrumpet。
　　“Why，thatonethere，ofcourse。'Tother'satruckcart。Youwouldn'texpectmetorideinthat，wouldyou？”
　　Mr。Bangsenteredthebarn，seizedthevehicleindicatedbytheshafts，anddrewitoutintotheyard。Heinspecteditdeliberately，andthensatweaklydownonthechoppingblocknearby。Apparentlyhewasovercomebyemotion。
　　The“sulky“bequeathedbythelatedoctorhadbeenbuilttoorderforitsformerowner。Itwasofthe“carryall“variety，exceptthatithadbutasinglenarrowseat。Itstopwassquareandwascurtained，thecurtainsbeingtightlybuttoneddown。Altogetheritwassomethingofacuriosity。MissDawes，whohadcomeouttoseethestart，lookedatthe“sulky，“thenatMr。Bangs'sface，andturnedherback。Hershouldersshook：
　　“ItusedtobearealnicecarriagewhenEzrahadit，“commentedthewidowadmiringly。“Itneedsilin'andsprucin'upnow，butI
　　guess'twilldo。Come！”toBailey，whohadnotrisenfromthechoppingblock。“Hurryupandharnessorwe'llnevergetstarted。
　　Thoughtyouwantedtogetbackfordinner？”
　　Mr。Bangsstoodupandheavedasigh。
　　“Idid，“heansweredslowly，“but，“withaglanceatthesulky，“somethin'seemstohavetookawaymyappetite。Teacher，doyoumeanto——“
　　ButMissDaweshadwithdrawntothecornerofthehouse，fromwhichviewpointsheseemedtobeinspectingthesurroundinglandscape。
　　BaileyseizedHenrybythebridleandbackedhimintotheshafts。
　　“Backup！”heroared。“Backup，Itellyou！Youneedn'tlookatmethatway，“headded，inalowertone。“_I_can'thelpit。Youain'tanyworseashamedthanIam。There！theark'sofftheways。
　　Allaboard！”
　　Turningtotheexpectantwidow，he“boosted“her，nottootenderly，uptothenarrowseat。Thenheclimbedinhimself。Twoonthatseatmadeatightfit。Baileytookupthereins。Debbyleanedforwardandpeeredaroundtheedgeofthecurtains。
　　“You！”sheshouted。“You，MissWhat's-your-name——Dorcas！Comehereaminute。Iwanttotellyousomethin'。“
　　Theschoolmistress，herfaceredandhereyesmoist，approached。
　　“Ijustwantedtosay，“explainedDebby，“thatIain'trealsureasthatdiary'sthere。Iburntupalotofmyoldlettersandthingsaspellago，andseemstomeIburntsomeolddiaries，too，butmaybethatwan'toneof'em。Anyhow，IcangetthemArizonapapers，andIdowantyoutosee'em。They'rethemostINTERESTIN'
　　things。Now，“sheadded，turningtohercompanionontheseat，“youcangitdapjustassoonasyouwantto。“
　　WhetherornotMr。Bangswantedto“gitdap“isadoubtfulquestion。Butatalleventshedid。BeforetheastonishedMissDawescouldthinkofananswertotheobservationconcerningthediary，thecarriage，itslongunusedaxlesshriekingprotests，movedoutoftheyard。Theschoolmistresswatcheditgo。Thenshereturnedtothesittingroomandcollapsedinarockingchair。
　　Onceoutfromtheshelterofthehouseandontheopenroad，thesulkyreceivedthefullforceofthewind。ThefirstgustthathowledinfromthebaystruckitscurtainedsidewithasuddenburstofpowerthatcausedMrs。Beasleytoclutchherdriver'sarm。
　　“Goodlandofmercy！”shescreamed。“Itblowsrealhard，don'tit？”
　　Mr。Bangs'sanswerwasintheformofdelicatesarcasm，bellowedintotheeartrumpet。
　　“Sho！”heexclaimed。“Iwanttoknow！Youdon'tsay！Nowyoumentionit，seemsasifIhadnoticedalittleairstirrin'。“
　　Anothergusttiltedthecarriagetop。Debbyclutchedthearmstilltighter。
　　“Why，itblowsawfulhard！”shecried。“I'dnoideeitblewlikethis。“
　　“Wantto'boutshipandgohomeagain？”whoopedBailey，hopefully。
　　Butthewidowdidn'tintendtogiveuptherareluxuryofa“ride“
　　whichakindProvidencehadcastinherway。
　　“No，no！”sheanswered。“IguessifyoufolkscomeallthewayfromBayportIcanstanditasfur'stheCenter。Buthurryallyoucan，won'tyou？I'mkindof'fraidofthesprings。“
　　“Springs？Whatsprings？Letgomyarm，willyou？It'sgoin'tosleep。“
　　Mrs。Beasleyletgoofthearmmomentarily。
　　“Imeanthespringsonthiscarriage，“sheexplained。“LasttimeIlentittoanybody——SolonDavis，'twas——hesaidtheboltsunderneathwasprettynighrustedout，andaboutallthatheldthewagonpartonwasitsownweight。Sowe'llhavetobekindofcareful。“
　　“Well——I——swan——to——MAN！”wasMr。Bangs'ssolecommentontheamazingdisclosure；however，asanexpressionofconcentratedandprofounddisgustitwasquitesufficient。Hespokebutonceduringtheremainderofthetriptothe“Center。“Then，whenhispassengerbeggedtoknowif“thatWhittakerman“hadbeenwellsincesheleft，heshouted：“Yes——EVERsince，“andrelapsedintohisformergloomysilence。
　　Thewidow'sstopattheAtwoodhouse，whichwasintheimmediaterearoftheAtwoodstore，wasofahalfhour'sduration。Baileyrefusedtoleavetheseatofthesulkyandsatthere，speakingtonoone；notevenreplyingtothequestionsofagroupofloungerswhogatheredtoinspecttheancientvehicle，andprofessedtobeindoubtastowhetherithadbeenwashedinwiththetideorbeen“left“tohiminawill。
　　AtlastDebbymadeherappearance，herarmsfilledwithnewspapers。
　　Thelattershepiledunderthecarriageseat，andthenclimbedtoherformerplacebesidethedriver。Henry，inresponsetoaslapfromthereins，gotunderwayoncemore。Theaxlessqueakedandscreamed。
　　“Gee！”criedoneyoungster，fromthestepsofthestore。“It'sthesteamcalliope。When'stherestoftheshowcomin'？”
　　“Hi！”yelledanother。“Seehowclosethey'rehuggeduptogether。
　　Ain'ttheylovin'！It'saweddin'！”
　　“Shutup！”roaredthetorturedBailey，whosehathadblownbackintothebodyofthesulky，leavinghisbaldheadexposedtothecuttingwind。
　　Theaudiencebeggedhimtogivethemalockofhishair，andaddedotherremarksofapersonalnatureconcerningtheyouthandbeautyofthebridalcoupleandtheirchariot。Mr。Bangswasinastateofdumbfrenzy。Debby，who，withouthertrumpet，hadheardnothingofallthis，wassmilingandgarrulous。
　　“Ifoundallthepapers，“shesaid。“They'rerightundertheseat。
　　I'mgoin'tolook'emoverso'stohavetheinterestin'partsallreadytoshowMissDorcaswhenwegethome。Ain'titniceIfound'em？”
　　Inspiteofherdriver'sremonstrances，unheardbecauseofthenonadjustmentofthetrumpet，shereachedundertheseatandbroughtoutthepileofBlazetonweeklies。Withherfeetuponthepiletokeepitfromblowingaway，sheproceededtounfoldoneofthepapers。Itcrackledandsnappedinthewindlikealoosemainsail。
　　“Keepthatdrattedthingoutofmyface，won'tyou？”shriekedtheagonizedBailey。“How'mIgoin'toseetosteerwiththatsmackin'
　　mebetweentheeyeseveryothersecond？”
　　“Hey？Didyouspeaktome？”askedthewidowsweetly。
　　“DidISPEAK？No，Iscreeched！Whatintunket——“
　　“Iwantyoutoseethispictureofthemayor'shouseinBlazeton。
　　Eva，myhusband'sniece，livesrightacrosttheroadfromhim。
　　Many'sthetimeI'vesetontheirpiazzaandseenhimcomeoutandgototheCityHall。“
　　“Keepitoutofmyface，Itellyou！Reefit！Furlit，you——youwoman！Iwishtothunderthepiazzahadcavedinonyou！Ineverseesuchanoldfoolinmyborndays。TAKEITAWAY！”
　　Mrs。Beasleyremovedthepaper，butonlytosubstituteanother。
　　“Here'sEva'sbrother-in-law，“shescreamed。“He'soneoftheprominentbusinessmenoutthere，sotheyputhiminthepaper。
　　Ain'thenicelookin'？”
　　Bailey'scommentsontheprominentbusinessman'sappearancewereanythingbutflattering。Debbycontinuedtoreachformorepapers，carefullyreplacingthoseshehadinspectedinthepilebeneathherfeet。Thewindblewashardasever；evenharder，foritwasnowalmostdeadahead。Henryploddedalong。Theywereinthehollowatthefootofthelastlonghill，thatfromwhichtheblacksmithshophadfirstbeensighted。
　　“IknowwhatI'lldo，“declaredthepassenger。“I'llhuntforthatmissin'husbandadvertisementofDesireHiggins's。Let'sseenow！
　　'Twillbedownatthebottomofthepile，'causethepaperit'sinisalastyearone。“
　　Shebobbeddownbehindthehighdashboard。Mr。Bangsstoodupinorderthathergymnasticsmightinterfere，toalesserdegree，withhisdriving。Theequipagebegantomoveuptheslopeofthehill，bouncingandtwistinginthefrozenruts。
　　“Here'tis！”exclaimedDebby。“Irememberit'sinthisnumber，'causethere'sapictureofthePalaceHotelonthefrontpage。
　　Let'ssee——'Doglost'——no，thatain'tit。'Cornerlotforsale'——
　　wishIhadmoneyenoughtobuyit；I'dlikenothin'betterthantoliveoutthere。'Informationwantedofmyhusband'——Here'tis！
　　Um——hum！”
　　Shestraightenedupandeagerlybeganreadingtheadvertisement。
　　Thehillwasverysteepjustatitstop，andthesulkyslantedbackwardatasharpangle。Aterrificburstofwindtorearoundthecornerofthebluff。Iteddiedthroughthesulkybetweenthedashboardandthecurtainedsides。Thewidow，inherexcitementatfindingtheadvertisement，hadinadvertentlyremovedherfeetfromthepileofpapers。InaninstanttheairwasfilledwithwhirlingcopiesoftheBlazetonWeeklyCourier。
　　Henry，thehorse，wasasoberanimalwhohadlongagoreachedtheageofdiscretion。Buttohavehisoldearsandeyessuddenlyblanketedwithaflappingwhitethingswoopingapparentlyfromnowherewastoomuchevenforhissedatenerves。Hejumpedsidewise。Thereinswerejerkedfromthedriver'shandsandfellintheroad。
　　“Mercyonus！”shriekedDebby，clutchinghercompanionaboutthewaist。“What——“
　　“Letgoofme！”howledBailey，pushingherviolentlyaside。“Whoa！
　　Standstill！”
　　ButHenryrefusedtostandstill。Theflappingpaperstillclungtohisagitatedhead。Herearedandpranced，jerkingthesulkybackandforth，itswheelsstillwedgedintheruts。Baileysprangtothegroundtopickupthereins。Heseizedthem，butfellashedidso。ThetugathisbitsturnedHenry'shead，literallyandfiguratively。Herearedandwhirledabout。Thesulkyroseontwowheels。ThescreamingMrs。Beasleycollapsedagainstitsdownwardside。Anothermoment，andthewholeupperhalfofthesulky——body，seat，curtains，andDebby——tiltedoverthelowerwheels，and，therustedboltsfailingtohold，slidwithathumptothefrozenroad。
　　Thewind，catchingitunderneathasitslid，tippeditbackward。
　　ThenHenryranaway。
　　MissDawes，leftaloneinthehouseatthefootofthehill，hadamusedherselfforatimewiththeBeasleylibrary，whichpartiallyfilledashelfinthesittingroom。But“TheBookofMartyrs“and“ABeliever'sThoughtsonDeath“werenotcheeringliterature，particularlyastheauthorofthelattervolume“thought“sodismallyconcerningthefutureofallwhodidnotbelievepreciselyashedid。Sotheteacherlaiddownthebook，withashudder，andwanderedabouttheroom，inspectingthelateMr。Beasley'sportrait，thephotographsinsplintworkframes，the“alumbasket“
　　onthemantel，thebluecastles，bluetrees，andbluepeoplepicturedonthewindowshades，andotherworksofartintheapartment。Sheevenpeepedintotheparlor，butthemusty，shut-upsmellofthatduskytombwastoomuchforher，andshesatdownbythesitting-roomwindow，undertheemptybirdcage，tolookuptheroadandwatchforthereturnofthesulkyanditsoccupants。
　　Sittingthere，shewasawitnessofthealarmingcatastropheonthehilltop，andreachedthefrontgatejustintimetoseeHenrygogallopingby，draggingthefourwheelsandspringsofthesulky，while，sprawledacrosstherearaxleandstillclingingtothereins，hungafamiliar，howling，andmostwickedlyprofaneindividualbythenameofBangs。
　　Therunawaydashedontowardtheblacksmithshop。Phoebe，bareheadedandcoatless，ranupthehill。Beforeshereachedthecrest，shewasawareofmuffledscreams，whichsoundedasifthescreamerwasshutupinatrunk。
　　“O-o-oh！”screamedMrs。Beasley。“O-o-oh！Ow！Letmeout！Help！
　　I'mstuck！Myback'sbroke！He-e-lp！”
　　Theupperpartofthesulky，withitsboxlikecurtainedtop，layonitssideintheroad。Fromsomewherewithintheboxcamethegroansandscreams。Thegalesweptthehilltop，and，foraquartermiletoleeward，thescenerywasanimatedbysoaring，flutteringcopiesoftheBlazetonCourier，thatswoopedandduckedlikemammothwhitebutterflies。
　　Thepantingandalarmedteacherstoopedandpeeredintothedarkshadowbetweenthedashboardandthebackcurtain。Allshecouldmakeoutatfirstwereapairofthinanklesand“Congress“shoesinagitatedmotion。Thesebobbedupanddownbehindtheoverturnedseatanditsdisplacedcushion。
　　“OMrs。Beasley！”screamedPhoebe。“Areyouhurt？”
　　Debby，ofcourse，didnothearthequestion。Shecontinuedtogroanandscreamforhelp。Herlungswerenotinjured，atallevents。Theschoolmistress，droppingonherknees，reachedintothesulkytopandtuggedattheseat。Itwasrathertightlywedged，butshemanagedtoloosenitandpullittowardher。
　　Thewidowraisedherselfonanelbowandlookedoutbetweentheflowersofhersmashedbonnet。
　　“Whoisit？”shedemanded。“Oh，isthatyou，MissDorcas？Oh，mysoulandbody！Oh，mystars！Oh，mygoodnessme！”
　　“Areyouhurt？”shriekedPhoebe。
　　“Hey？Idon'tknow！Idon'tknowWHATIbe！Idon'tknownothin'！”
　　“Canyouhelpyourself？Canyougetup？”
　　“Hey？Idon'tknow。MaybeIcanifyouhaulthateverlastin'seatoutoftheway。Oh，mysakesalive！”
　　Herrescuerpulledtheseatforward，and，withaneffort，tumbleditclearofthecurtains。Debbyraisedherselfstillhigher。
　　“Oh！”shegroaned。“Talkabout——Landsakes！who'scomin'？Men，ain'tit？Letmeoutofherequick！QUICK！”
　　Shescrambledoutofherprisononhandsandknees，andjumpedtoherfeetwithreassuringalacrity。Herfur-collaredcapewasdrapedinarollaboutherneck，andherbonnethungjauntilyoverherlefteye。
　　“I'masight，ain'tI？”sheasked。“Haulthisbunnetstraight，quick'severyoucan。Hurt？No，no！Iain'thurtnonebutmyfeelin's。HurryUP！S'poseIwantthemmenfolkstoseemewitheverythingallhindsideto？”
　　MissDawes，relievedtofindthattheaccidenthadhadnoseriousconsequences，andtryingherhardestnottolaugh，assistedthewidowtorearrangeherwearingapparel。Theblacksmithandhishelpercamerunningupthehill。
　　“Hello，Debby！”hailedtheformer。“What'sthematter？Hurt，beyou？”
　　Mrs。Beasley，whethersheheardornot，didnotdeigntoreply。
　　“Getmyhornoutofthatcarriage，“sheordered。“Don'tstandtheregapin'。Getit。“
　　Theeartrumpetwasresurrectedfromtheinteriorofthevehicle。
　　Thewidowadjusteditwithdignity。
　　“Hadaspill，didn'tyou，Debby？”inquiredtheblacksmith。“Upset，didn'tyou？”
　　Debbyglaredathim。
　　“No，“sherepliedwithsarcasm。“CourseIdidn'tupset！JustthoughtI'drollroundintheroadforthefunofit。Smartquestion，thatis！Where'sthatBaileyBangsgonetowiththerestofmycarriage？”
　　Theblacksmithpointedtohisshopinthehollow。BeforeitstoodMr。Bangs，holdingHenrybythebridle，andstaringintheirdirection。
　　“He'sallright，“volunteeredthe“helper。““Thehorsestoppedrunnin'soon'shegottothefootofthenexthill。“
　　Mrs。Beasleywasnot，apparently，overjoyedatthenews。
　　“Humph！”shegrunted。“I'mostwishhe'dbrokehisneck！Pesky，carelessthing！gettin'usrunawaywithandupset。Who'sgoin'topayforfixin'mysulky，Iwanttoknow？”
　　“Mr。Bangswillpayforit，I'msure，“saidPhoebesoothingly。“Ifhedoesn't，Iwill。Oh，Mrs。Beasley！didyoufindthediary？”
　　“Diary？No，no！ItoldyouIwasafraidI'dburntitup。Well，I
　　had，andawholelotmoreofthemoldones。ButIdidgetallthemArizonapapers，andtookthetroubletotote'emallthewayhereso'syoucouldlookat'em。Andnow“——sheshookwithindignationandwavedherhandtowardasectionofhorizonwherelittlewhitedotsindicatedthewhereaboutsoftheCouriers——“nowlookwheretheybe！BlowedfromDantoBeersheby！Comeontothehouseandletmesetdown。Ibeenstandin'onmyheadtillI'mtired。Here，Jabez，“totheblacksmith，“youtendtothatcarriage，willyou？”
　　Shestalkedoffdownthehill。Theschoolmistressturningtofollowher，caughtaglimpseofthe“helper“doubledupwithsilentlaughter，andtheblacksmithgrinningbroadlyashestoopedtowardthecapsizedsulky。
　　Phoebewasdowncastanddisappointed。Shewasconvinced，inherownmind，thattheHonorableAtkinshadsomehiddenmotiveforhisespousaloftheThomascause。Asaph'sfruitlessquestinOrhamhadnotshakenherfaith。CaptainCyhadrefusedtoseekDebbyBeasleyforinformationconcerningtheThayers，andsoshe，onherownresponsibility，haddoneso。Andthiswastheridiculousendingofherjourney。Thediaryhadbeenaforlornhope；nowthatwasburned。PoorBos'n！andpoor——someoneelse！
　　Debbymarchingdownthehill，continuedtosputteraboutthelostweeklies。
　　“It'saneverlastin'shame！”shedeclared。“I'djustfoundtheonewiththatadvertisementinitandwasreadin'it。IrememberthepartIread，plainascouldbe。Whilewe'reeatin'dinnerI'lltellyouaboutit。“
　　ButMissDawesdidnotcarefordinner。LikeMr。Tiddittandthecaptain，shehadhadaboutalltheDebbyBeasleyshewanted。
　　“Yes，yes，youwillstop，too，“affirmedthewidow。“IwanttotellyoumoreaboutBlazeton。Icanseethatadvertisementthisminute，rightaforemyeyes——'Informationwantedofmyhusband，EdwardHiggins。Fivefooteightinchestall，sandycomplected，brownhair，andyellowishmustache；notlame，buthasapeculiarslightlimpwithhisleftfoot——'“
　　“What？”askedtheschoolmistress，stoppingshort。
　　“Hey？'Hasapeculiarlimpwithhisleftfoot。'IrememberhowDesireusedtotalkaboutthatlimp。Shesaid'twasalmostasifhestutteredwithhisleg。HehurtitwhenhewasupinMontana，and——“
　　“Oh！”criedMissDawes。Thecolorhadleftherface。
　　“Yes。Youseeheusedtobeaminerorsomethin'upthere。He'dneversaymuchabouthisyoungerdays，butonetimehedidtellthat。I'djustgotasfarasthatlimpwhenthesulkyupset。Talkaboutbein'surprised！Ineverwassosurprisedinmylifeaswhenthathorsecritterraredupand——“
　　Phoebeinterrupted。Hercolorhadcomeback，andhereyeswereshining。
　　“Mrs。Beasley，“shecried，“IthinkIshallchangemymind。I
　　believeIwillstaytodinnerafterall。I'mEVERsomuchinterestedinArizona。“
　　Baileyandtheteacherbegantheirlongdrivehomeaboutfouro'clock。Thebuggyaxlehadbeenfixed，andthewindwaslessviolent。Mr。Bangswasglumandmoody。Heseemedtobethinking。
　　“Say，teacher，“hesaidatlength，“I'dliketoaskafavorofyou。
　　Ifitain'tnecessary，Iwishyouwouldn'tsaynothin'aboutthatupsettin'businesstothefolkstohome。Itdoessoundsodumfoolish！I'llneverhearthelastofit。“
　　MissDawes，whohadbeeninhighspirits，nowtookamomentforreflection。
　　“Allright！”shesaid，noddingvigorously。“Wewon'tmentionit，then。Wewon'ttellasoul。YoucansaythatIcalledattheAtwoods'，ifyouwantto；thatwillbetrue，becauseIdid。Andwe'llhaveMrs。Beasleyforoursecret——yoursandmine——untilwedecidetotell。It'sabargain，Mr。Bangs。Wemustshakehandsonit。“
　　Theyshookhands，andBailey，lookinginherface，thoughtheneversawherlooksowellorasyoung。Shewaspretty，hedecided。
　　Thenhethoughtofhisownchoiceofawife，and——well，ifhehadanyregrets，hehasn'tmentionedthem，noteventohisfellow-
　　memberoftheBoardofStrategy。
　　CHAPTERXVII
　　THECAPTAINREMEMBERSHISAGE
　　Decemberwasnearlyover。Christmashadcome。Bos'nhadhungupherstockingbythebase-burnerstove，andfounditwartyanddropsicalthenextmorning，withagenerousoverflowofgiftspiledonthefloorbeneathit。TheBoardofStrategysentpresents；sodidMissDawesandGeorgianna。AsforCaptainCyhespentmanyeveninghours，aftertherestofhishouseholdwasinbed，poringovercataloguesoftoysandbooks，andtheordershesenttothebigshopsinBostonwerelengthyandcostly。Thelittlegirl'seyesopenedwidewhenshesawthestockingandthetreasuresheapedonthefloor。Shesatinher“nighty“amidstthewonders，books，andplaythingsinacircleabouther，andthebiggestdollofallhuggedcloseinherarms。CaptainCy，whohadarisenathalfpastfiveinordertobewithheronthegreatoccasion，wasatleastashappyasshe。
　　“Like'em，doyou？”heasked，smiling。
　　“like'em！OUncleCy！Whatmakeseverybodysogoodtome？”
　　“Idon'tknow。Strangething，ain'tit——considerin'whatahardlittleticketyouare。“
　　Bos'nlaughed。Sheunderstoodher“UncleCy，“anddidn'tmindbeingcalleda“hardticket“byhim。
　　“I——I——didn'tbelieveanybodyCOULDhavesuchaniceChristmas。I
　　neversawsomanynicethings。“
　　“Humph！Whatdoyoulikebest？”
　　Theanswerwasaquestion，andwascharacteristic。
　　“Whichdidyougiveme？”askedBos'n。
　　Thecaptainwouldhavedodged，butshewouldn'tlethim。Soonebyonethepresentshehadgivenwereindicatedandputbythemselves。
　　Theremainderwerebutfew，butsheinsistedthatthegiversoftheseshouldbenamed。Whenthesortingwasovershesatsilentlyhuggingherdolland，apparently，thinking。
　　“Well？”inquiredtheamusedcaptain。“Madeupyourmindyet？
　　Whichdoyoulikebest？”
　　Thechildnodded。
　　“Why，these，ofcourse，“shedeclaredwithemphasis，pointingwithherdollie'sslipperedfootatCaptainCy'spile。
　　“So？Do，hey？Didn'tknowIcouldpicksowell。Allright；thefirstprizeismine。Whotakesthesecond？”
　　ThistimeBos'ndeliberatedbeforeanswering。Atlast，however，shebentforwardandtouchedtheteacher'sgifts。
　　“These，“shesaid。“Ilikethesenextbest。“
　　CaptainCywassurprised。
　　“Sho！”heexclaimed。“Youdon'tsay！”
　　“Yes。IthinkIliketeachernexttoyou。IlikeGeorgiannaandMr。TiddittandMr。Bangs，ofcourse，butIlikeheralittlebetter。Don'tyou，uncleCyrus？”
　　Thecaptainchangedthesubject。Heaskedherwhatsheshouldnameherdoll。
　　TheBoardofStrategycameinduringtheforenoon，andthepresentshadtobeshowntothem。WhiletheexhibitionwasinprogressMissDawescalled。AndbeforesheleftGabeLumleydroveupinthedepotwagonbearingabigexpresspackageaddressedto“MissEmilyThomas，Bayport。“
　　“Humph！”exclaimedCaptainCy。“Somethin'moreforBos'n，hey！
　　Whointheworldsentit，doyous'pose？”
　　AsaphandBaileymadevariousinanesuggestionsastothesender。
　　Phoebesaidnothing。Therewasafrownonherfaceasshewatchedthecaptaingettoworkontheboxwithchiselandhammer。Itcontainedabeautifuldoll，fullyandexpensivelydressed，andpinnedtothedresswasacard——“TodearlittleEmmie，fromherlonesomePapa。“
　　TheBoardofStrategylookedatthedollinwonderandastonishment。
　　CaptainCystrodeawaytothewindow。
　　“Well！”exclaimedMr。Bangs。“Ididn'tbelievehehadthatmuchheartinsideofhim。Ibetyouthatcostfourorfivedollars；
　　ain'tthatso，Cy？”
　　Thecaptaindidnotanswer。
　　“Don'tyouthinkso，teacher？”repeatedBailey，turningtoPhoebe。
　　“Whatailsyou？Youdon'tseemsurprised。“
　　“I'mnot，“repliedthelady。“Iexpectedsomethingofthatsort。“
　　CaptainCywheeledfromthewindow。
　　“YouDID？”heasked。
　　“Yes。MissPhinneysaidtheotherdayshehadheardthatthatmanwasgoingtogivehisdaughterabeautifulpresent。Shewasveryenthusiasticabouthisgenerosityandself-sacrifice。IaskedwhotoldherandshesaidMr。Simpson。“
　　“Oh！Tad？Isthatso！”Thecaptainlookedather。
　　“Yes。AndIthinkthereisnodoubtthatSimpsonhadorderstomakethe'generosity'knowntoasmanytownspeopleaspossible。“
　　“Hum！Isee。YoufigurethatThomascal'lates'twillhelphispopularityandmakehiscasestronger；isthatit？”
　　“Notexactly。Idoubtifheeverthoughtofsuchathinghimself。
　　Butsomeonethoughtforhim——andsomeonemusthavesuppliedthemoney。“
　　“Well，theysayhe'stoworkupinBoston。“
　　“Iknow。Butnoonecantellwhereheworks。CaptainWhittaker，thisisMr。Atkins'sdoing——youknowit。Now，WHYdoeshe，abusyman，takesuchaninterestingettingthischildawayfromyou？”
　　CaptainCyshookhisheadandsmiled。
　　“Teacher，“hesaid，“you'redeadsetontaggin'Hemanwithamystery，ain'tyou？”
　　“MissDawes，“askedtheforgetfulBailey，“whenyouandmewentdrivin't'otherdaydidyoufindoutanythingfrom——“
　　Phoebeinterruptedquickly。
　　“Mr。Bangs，“shesaid，“atwhattimedowedistributeChristmaspresentsatyourboardinghouse？IsupposeyoumusthavemanyChristmassecretstokeep。YoukeepasecretSOwell。“
　　Mr。Bangsturnedred。Thehintconcerningsecretkeepingwasnotwasted。Hedidnotmentionthedriveagain。
　　AlittlelaterCaptainCyfoundBos'nbusilyplayingwiththedollhehadgivenher。Theother，herfather'sgift，wasnowhereinsight。
　　“Iputherbackinthebox，“saidthechildinreplytohisquestion。“Shewasawfulpretty，butIthinkI'mgoin'tolovethisonebest。“
　　Theremarkseemsafoolishthingtogivecomforttoagrownman，butCaptainCyfoundcomfortinit，andcomfortwaswhatheneeded。
　　Heneededitmoreastimewenton。InJanuarythecourtgaveitsdecision。Thecaptain'sappointmentasguardianwasrevoked。Withthefatheralive，andprofessedlyanxioustoprovideforthechild'ssupport，nothingelsewastobeexpected，soMr。Peabodysaid。Thelatterenteredanappealwhichwoulddelaymattersforatime，twoorthreemonthsperhaps；meanwhileCaptainCywastoretaincustodyofBos'n。
　　Butthecourt'saction，expectedthoughitwas，madethecaptainveryblueanddowncast。Hecouldseenohope。Hefeltcertainthatheshouldlosethelittlegirlintheend，inspiteofthelongsuccessionofappealswhichhislawyercontemplated。Andwhatwouldbecomeofherthen？Whatsortoftrainingwouldshebelikelytohave？Whowouldherassociatesbe，undertheauthorityofafathersuchashers？Andwhatwouldhedo，aloneintheoldhouse，whenshehadgoneforgood？Hecouldnotbeartothinkofit，andyethethoughtoflittleelse。
　　Theevenings，afterBos'nhadgonetobed，weretheworst。Duringthedayhetriedhisbesttobebusyatsomethingorother。Thedollhousewasfinished，andhehadbeguntofashionafull-riggedshipinminiature。InrealityEmily，beinganormallittlegirl，wasnotgreatlyinterestedinships，but，becauseUncleCywasmakingit，shepretendedtobevastlyconcernedaboutthisone。OnSaturdaysandafterschoolhoursshesatonaboxinthewoodshed，wherethecaptainhadputupasmallstove，andwatchedhimwork。
　　ThetaboowhichsomanyofourrighteousandAtkins-worshipingtownspeoplehadputupontheWhittakerplaceanditsoccupantsincludedher，andanumberofchildrenhadbeenforbiddentoplaywithher。This，however，didnotpreventtheirtormentingheraboutherfatherandherdisreputableguardian。
　　Butthecaptain'seveningsweremiserable。HenolongerwenttoSimmons's。Hedidn'tcareforthecrowdthere，andknewtheywereall“down“onhim。JosiahDimickcalledoccasionally，andtheBoardofStrategyoften，buttheirconversationwasrathertiresome。ThereweretimeswhenCaptainCyhatedBayport，thehousehehad“fixedup“withsuchinterestandpride，andtheoldsittingroominparticular。Thementalpictureofcomfortandcontentmentwhichhadbeenhisdreamthroughsomanyyearsofstruggleandwandering，lookedfartheroffthanever。Sometimeshewastemptedtorunaway，takingBos'nwithhim。Butthecaptainhadneverrunawayfromafightyet；hehadneverabandonedashipwhiletherewasachanceofkeepingherafloat。And，besides，therewasanotherreason。
　　PhoebeDaweshadcometobehischiefreliance。Hesawagreatdealofher。Oftenwhenshewalkedhomefromschool，shefoundhimhangingoverthefrontgate，andtheytalkedofvariousthings——ofBos'n'sprogresswithherstudies，oftheschoolwork，andsimilartopics。Hecalledherbyherfirstnamenow，althoughinthistherewasnothingunusual——afterafewweeks'acquaintanceweBayportersalmostinvariablyaddresspeoplebytheir“front“names。
　　SometimesshecametothehousewithEmily。Thenthethreesatbythestoveinthesittingroom，andtheapartmentbecamereallycheerful，inthecaptain'seyes。
　　Phoebewasingoodspirits。ShewasashopefulasCaptainCywasdespondent。Sheseemedtohavelittlefearoftheoutcomeofthelegalproceedings，theappealsandtherest。Infact，shenowappeareddesirousofevadingthesubject，andtherewasaboutheranairofsuppressedexcitement。Heroptimismwasthebestsortofbracerforthecaptain'sfailingcourage。Heradvicewasalwaysgood，andatalkwithherlefthimwithshoulderssquared，mentally，andalmosthappy。
　　Onecold，rainyafternoon，earlyinFebruary，shecameinwithBos'n，whohadavailedherselfoftheshelteroftheteacher'sumbrella。Georgiannawasinthekitchenbaking，andEmilyhadbeenpromiseda“saucerpie“——sothechildwentouttosuperintendtheconstructionofthattreat。
　　“Setdown，teacher，“saidCaptainCy，pushingforwardarocker。
　　“My！butI'mgladtoseeyou。'Twasbluer'nawhetstone'roundhereto-day。What'sthenews——anything？”
　　“Why，no，“repliedPhoebe，acceptingtherockerandthrowingopenherwetjacket；“there'snonewsinparticular。ButIwantedtoaskifyouhadseentheBreeze？”
　　“Um——hum，“wasthelistlessanswer。“Ipresumelikelyyoumeanthenewsabouttheappropriation，andtheeditorialdigatyourstruly？
　　Yes，I'veseenit。Theydon'tbothermemuch。I'vegotmoreimportantthingsonmymindjustnow。“
　　CongressmanAtkins'spledgeinhisfarewellspeech，concerningthemightyefforthewastomaketowardsecuringtheappropriationforBayportharbor，wasinprocessoffulfillment——sohehadwrittentothelocalpaper。But，alas！themightyeffortwaslikelytoproveunavailing。InspiteoftheHonorableHeman'sbattleforhisconstituents'rightsitseemedcertainthatthebillwouldnotprovidethethirtythousanddollarsforBayport；atleast，notthisyear'sbill。Otherandmorepowerfulinterestswouldwinoutand，instead，anothersectionofthecoastbeimprovedatthepublicexpense。Thecongressmanwasdeeplysorry，almostbroken-hearted。
　　hehadbattledhardforhisbelovedtown，hehadworkednightandday。But，tobeperfectlyfrank，therewaslittleornohope。
　　FewofusblamedHemanAtkins。Themajorityconsideredhisletter“noble“and“sofeeling。“Butsomeonemustbeblamedforacommunitydisappointmentlikethis，andthescapegoatwasonthepremises。Howaboutthat“committeeofone“self-appointedattownmeeting？HowabouttheblatantpersonwhohaddeclaredHEcouldhavegottentheappropriation？Whathadthe“committee“done？
　　Nothing！nothingatall！HehadnotevenwrittentotheCapital——
　　sofarasanyonecouldfindout——muchlessgonethere。
　　So，atSimmons'sandthesewingcircle，andaftermeetingonSunday，CyWhittakerwasagaindiscussedandderided。Andthisweek'sBreeze，outthatmorning，containedasarcasticeditorialwhichmentionednonames，buthintedat“acertainnownotoriousperson“whohadboastedloudly，butwhohadagain“beenweighedinthebalanceofpublicopinionandfoundwanting。“
　　MissDawesdidnotseempleasedwiththecaptain'snonchalantattitudetowardtheBreezeanditseditorial。Shetappedthebraidedmatwithherfoot。
　　“CaptainCyrus，“shesaid，“ifyouintendeddoingnothingtowardsecuringthatappropriationwhydidyouaccepttheresponsibilityforitatthemeeting？”
　　CaptainCylookedup。Hertoneremindedhimoftheirfirstmeeting，whenshehadreprovedhimforgoingtosleepandleavingBos'ntothemercyoftheCahooncow。
　　“Well，“hesaid，“aforethisThomasbusinesshappened，toknockallmyplansontheirbeamends，I'ddoneconsider'blethinkin'aboutthatappropriation。ItseemedtomethattheremustbesomereasonforHeman'scomin'aboutsosudden。Hewassartinsureofthethirtythousandforaspell；then，alltoonce，hebeguntotakeinsailandgoont'othertack。Idon'tknowmuchaboutpolitics，butIknowHEknowsallthepoliticsthereis。Anditseemedtomethatifaliveman，onewitheyesinhishead，wenttoWashingtonandlookedaroundhemightfindthereason。And，ifhedidfindit，maybeHemancouldbecoaxedintochangin'hismindagain。
　　Anyhow，Iwaswillin'totaketheriskoftryin'；and，besides，TadandAbeLeonardhadmeonthegriddleatthatmeetin'，andIspokeupsharp——toosharp，maybe。“
　　“ButyoustillbelievethatyouMIGHThelpifyouwenttoWashington？”
　　“Yes。IguessIdo。Anyhow，I'dasksomeprettyp'intedquestions。
　　Yousee，Iain'tlivedhereinBayportallmylife，andIdon'tswallerALLthebaitHemanheavesoverboard。“
　　“Thenwhydon'tyougo？”
　　“Hey？Whydon'tIgo？AndleaveBos'nand——“
　　“Emilywouldbeallrightandperfectlysafe。Georgiannathinkstheworldofher。And，CaptainWhittaker，Idon'tliketohearthesepeopletalkofyouastheydo。Idon'tliketoreadsuchthingsinthepaper，thatyouwereonlybragginginordertobepopular，andmeanttoshirkwhenthetimecameforaction。Iknowthey'renottrue。IKNOWit！”
　　CaptainCywasgratified，andhisgratificationshowedinhisvoice。
　　“Thankyou，Phoebe，“hesaid。“Iammuchobligedtoyou。But，yousee，Idon'ttakeanyinterestinsuchthingsanymore。WhenI
　　realizethatprettysoonI'vegottogiveupthatlittlegirlforgoodIcan'tbeartobeawayfromheraminutehardly。Idon'tliketoleaveherherealonewithGeorgiannaand——“
　　“Iwillkeepaneyeonher。Youtrustme，don'tyou？”
　　“TrustYOU？Bythebigdipper，you'reabouttheonlyoneICAN
　　trustthesedays。Idon'tknowhowI'dhavepulledthroughthisifyouhadn'thelped。You'rediff'rentfromAseandBaileyandtheirkind——notmeanin'anythingagainstthem，either。Butyou'rebroad-
　　mindedandcool-headedand——and——Doyouknow，ifI'dhadawomanlikeyoutoadvisemealltheseyearsandkeepmefromgoin'offthecourse，Imighthavebeensomebodybynow。“
　　“Ithinkyou'resomebodyasitis。“
　　“Don'ttalkthatway。IownupIliketohearyou，butI'm'fraiditain'ttrue。YousayIamounttosomethin'。Well，what？Icomebackhomehere，withsomemoneyinmypocket，thinkin'thatwasaboutallwasnecessarytomakemeagooddealofafeller。TheoldCyWhittakerplace，Isaidtomyself，wasgoin'tobearealCyWhittakerplaceagain。AndI'dbearealWhittaker，amanwhoshouldstandforsomethin'，asmydadandgranddaddidaforeme。
　　Thetownshouldrespectme，andI'ddothingstohelpitalong。
　　Andwhat'sitallcometo？Why，everyyoungoneonthestreetistoldtobegoodforfearhe'llgrowuplikeme。Ain'tthatso？
　　Courseit'sso！I'm——“
　　“YouSHALLnotspeakso！Doyouimaginethatyou'renotrespectedbyeveryonewhoserespectcountsforanything？Yes，andbyothers，too。Don'tyousupposeMr。Atkinsrespectsyou，downinhisheart——
　　ifhehasone？Doesn'tyourhousekeeper，whoseesyoueveryday，respectandlikeyou？AndlittleEmily——doesn'tsheloveyoumorethanshedoesalltherestofustogether？”
　　“Well，IguessBos'ndoescarefortheoldmansome，that'safact。
　　Shesaysshelikesyounextbest，though。Didyouknowthat？”
　　ButMissDaweswasindignant。
　　“CaptainWhittaker，“shedeclared，“onewouldthinkyouwereahundredyearsoldtohearyou。Youarealwayscallingyourselfanoldman。DoesMr。Atkinscallhimselfold？Andheisolderthanyou。“
　　“Well，I'moverfifty，Phoebe。“Inspiteofthehabitforwhichhehadjustbeenreproached，thecaptainfoundthisadifficultstatementtomake。
　　“Iknow。Butyou'reyoungerthanmostofusatthirty-five。Yousee，I'mconfessing，too，“sheaddedwithalaughandalittleblush。
　　CaptainCymadeamentalcalculation。
　　“Twentyyears，“hesaidmusingly。“Twentyyearsisalongtime。
　　No，I'mold。Andworsethanthat，I'manoldfool，Iguess。IfI
　　hadn'tbeenI'dhavestayedinSouthAmericainsteadofcomin'heretobehootedoutofthetownIwasbornin。“
　　Theteacherstampedherfoot。
　　“Oh，whatSHALLIdowithyou！”sheexclaimed。“Itiswickedforyoutosaysuchthings。DoyousupposethatMr。Atkinswouldfinditnecessarytoworkasheisdoingtobeatafool？And，besides，you'renotcomplimentarytome。ShouldI，doyouthink，takesuchaninterestinonewhowasanimbecile？”
　　“Well，'tismightygoodofyou。Yourcomin'heresotohelpBos'n'sfightalongis——“
　　“HowdoyouknowitisBos'naltogether？I——“Shestoppedsuddenly，andthecolorrushedtoherface。Sherosefromtherocker。“I——really，Idon'tseehowwecametobediscussingsuchnonsense，“shesaid。“Ouragesandthatsortofthing！CaptainCyrus，IwishyouwouldgotoWashington。Ithinkyououghttogo。“
　　Butthecaptain'sthoughtswerefarfromWashingtonatthatmoment。
　　Hisownfacewasalight，andhiseyesshone。
　　“Phoebe，“hefalteredunbelievingly，“whatwasyougoin'tosay？
　　Doyoumeanthat——that——“
　　Thesidedoorofthehouseopened。ThenextinstantMr。Tidditt，adrippingumbrellainhishand，enteredthesittingroom。
　　“Hello，Whit！”hehailed。“Justruninforaminutetosayhowdy。“
　　Thenhenoticedtheschoolmistress，andhisexpressionchanged。
　　“Oh！howbeyou，MissDawes？”hesaid。“Ididn'tseeyoufustoff。
　　Don'trunawayonmyaccount。“
　　“Iwasjustgoing，“saidPhoebe，buttoningherjacket。CaptainCyaccompaniedhertothedoor。
　　“Good-by，“shesaid。“TherewassomethingelseImeanttosay，butIthinkitisbesttowait。Ihopetohavesomegoodnewsforyousoon。SomethingthatwillsendyoutoWashingtonwithalightheart。PerhapsIshallhearto-morrow。Ifso，Iwillcallafterschoolandtellyou。“
　　“Yes，do，“urgedthecaptaineagerly。“You'llfindmeherewaitin'。Goodnewsornot，docome。I——Iain'tsaidallIwantedto，myself。“
　　Hereturnedtothesittingroom。Thetownclerkwasstandingbythestove。Helookedtroubled。
　　“What'stherow，Ase？”askedCycheerily。Hewasoverflowingwithgoodnature。
　　“Oh，nothin'special，“repliedMr。Tidditt。“Youlookjoyfulenoughfortwoofus。Hadgoodcompany，ain'tyou？”
　　“Why，yes；'boutasgoodasthereis。Whatmakesyoulooksoglum？”
　　Asaphhesitated。
　　“Phoebewashereyesterday，too，wan'tshe？”heasked。
　　“Yup。Whatofit？”
　　“Andthedayaforethat？”
　　“No，notforthreedaysaforethat。ButwhatOFit，Iaskyou？”
　　“Well，now，Cy，youmustn'tgetmad。I'mafriendofyours，andfriendsoughttobeabletosay'mostanythingtoeachother。If——
　　ifIwasyou，Iwouldn'tletPhoebecomesooften——nothere，youknow，atyourhouse。Course，IknowshecomeswithBos'nandall，but——“
　　“Outwithit！”Thecaptain'stonewasominous。“Whatareyoudrivin'at？”
　　Thecallerfidgeted。
　　“Well，Whit，“hestammered，“there'sconsider'bletalkin'goin'on，that'sall。“
　　“Talkin'？Whatkindoftalkin'？”
　　“Well，youknowthekind。Thistowndoesagooddealofit，'speciallyafterchurchandprayermeetin'。Seem'siftheythought'twasasortofproperplace。_I_don'tmyself；Ikindofliketokeepmycharityandbrotherlylovespreadoutthroughtheweek，but——“
　　“Ase，arethefolksinthistownsayin'awordagainstPhoebeDawesbecauseshecomesheretosee——Bos'n？”
　　“Don't——don'tgetmad，Whit。Don'tlookatmelikethat。_I_
　　ain'tsaidnothin'。Why，aspellago，attheboardin'house，I——“
　　HetoldofthemealattheperfectboardinghousewhereMissDaweschampionedhisfriend'scause。Alsooftheconversationwhichfollowed，andhisownpartinit。CaptainCypacedthefloor。
　　“Iwouldn'thavehercomesooften，Cy，“pleadedAsaph。“Honest，I
　　wouldn't。Course，youandmeknowthey'remean，miser'bleliars，butit'sherI'mthinkin'of。She'sayoungwomanandsingle。Andyou'reagoodmanyyearsolder'nsheis。Andso，ofcourse，youandsheain'tevergoin'togetmarried。Andhaveyouthoughtwhateffectitmighthaveonherkeepin'herteacher'splace？Thecommittee'samajorityagainstheras'tis。And——youknow_I_
　　don'tthinkso，butagoodmanyfolksdo——youain'tgotthebestnamejustnow。Darnitall！Iain'tputtin'thisthewayI'doughtto，butYOUknowwhatImean，don'tyou，Cy？”
　　CaptainCywasleaningagainstthewindowframe，hisheaduponhisarm。Hewasnotlookingout，becausetheshadewasdrawn。Tiddittwaitedanxiouslyforhimtoanswer。Atlastheturned。
　　“Ase，“hesaid，“I'mmuchobligedtoyou。You'vepoundeditinprettyhard，butIcal'lateI'doughttohavehaditdonetome。
　　I'mafool——anOLDfool，justasIsaidawhileback——andnothin'
　　norNOBODYoughttohavemademeforgetit。ForaminuteorsoI——
　　butthere！don'tyoufret。Thatyoungwomanshan'triskherjobnorherreputationonaccountofme——norofBos'n，either。I'llseetothat。Andseehere，“headdedfiercely，“Ican'tstopwomen'stongues，evenwhenthey'reasbadassomeofthetonguesinthistown，BUTifyouhearaMANsayonewordagainstPhoebeDawes，onlyoneword，youtellmehisname。Youhear，Ase？Youtellmehisname。Nowrunalong，willyou？Iain'tsafecompanyjustnow。“
　　Asaph，frightenedattheeffectofhiswords，hurriedlydeparted。
　　CaptainCypacedtheroomforthenextfifteenminutes。Thenheopenedthekitchendoor。
　　“Bos'n，“hecalled，“comeinandsetinmylapawhile；don'tyouwantto？I'm——I'msortoflonesome，littlegirl。“
　　Thenextafternoon，whentheschoolmistress，whohadbeendelayedbytheinevitableexaminationpapers，stoppedattheCyWhittakerplace，shewasmetbyGeorgianna；Emily，whostoodbehindthehousekeeperinthedoorway，wascrying。
　　“Cap'nCyhasgoneaway——toWashin'ton，“declaredGeorgianna。
　　“Thoughwhathe'sgonetherefor'smore'nIknow。Hesaidhe'dsendhishoteladdresssoon'shegotthere。Hewentonthethreeo'clocktrain。“
　　Phoebewasastonished。
　　“Gone？”sherepeated。“Sosoon！Why，hetoldmeheshouldcertainlybeheretohearsomenewsIexpectedto-day。Didn'theleaveanymessageforme？”
　　Thehousekeeperturnedred。
　　“MissPhoebe，“shesaid，“hetoldmetotellyousomethin'，andit'ssodreadfulIdon'thardlydasttosayit。Ithinkhistroubleshavedrivenhimcrazy。Hesaidtotellyouthatyou'dbetternotcometothishouseanymore。“
　　CHAPTERXVIII
　　CONGRESSMANEVERDEAN
　　Intheolddays，thegreatdaysofsailingshipsandlandmerchantfleets，Bayportwasacommunityoftravelers。Everyambitiousmanwenttosea，andeventually，ifhelived，becameacaptain。Thenhetookhiswife，andinmostcaseshischildren，withhimonlongvoyages。Tothestay-at-homescameletterswithodd，foreignstampsandpostmarks。Ourwhat-notsandparlormantelswerefilledwithcarvedbitsofivory，gorgeousshells，alabastercandlesticks，andplasterminiaturesoftheLeaningToweratPisaortheColiseumatRome。Weusuallybeganaconversationwith“WhenmyhusbandandIwereatHongKongthelasttime——“or“IrememberatMauritiustheyalways——“NewOrleansor'Friscowerethenearestdomesticportsthementionofwhichwasconsideredworthwhile。
　　Butthisissonolonger。AtriptoBostonis，ofcourse，nonoveltytothemostofus；butwhenwevisitNewYorkwetakecaretoadvertiseitbeforehand。Andthefewwhoavailthemselvesofthespring“cutrates“andgoonexcursionstoWashington，plandefiniteprogrammesforeachdayattheCapital，anddiscussthemwithenviousfriendsforweeksinadvance。Andiftheprearrangedprogrammeisnotscrupulouslycarriedout，wefeelthatwehavebeendefrauded。ItwastheregretofAuntSophroniaHallett'slifethat，onherWashingtonexcursion，shehadnotseenthe“DiplomaticCorpse。“ShesawthePresidentandtheMonumentandCongressand“therelicsintheSmithsonianInstitute，“butthe“Corpse“wasnotonview；AuntSophronianeverquitegotoverthedisappointment。
　　ProbablynootherBayporter，inrecentyears，hasstartedforWashingtononsuchshortnoticeorwithsoill-definedaprogrammeasCaptainCy。Hewentbecausehefeltthathemustgosomewhere。