AftertheconversationwithAsaph，hesimplycouldnotremainathome。IfPhoebeDawescalled，heknewthathemustseeher，andifhesawher，whatshouldhesaytoher？HecouldnottellherthatshemustnotvisittheCyWhittakerplaceagain。Ifhedid，shewouldinsistuponthereason。Ifhetoldherofthe“towntalk，“
hefeltsure，knowingher，thatshewouldindignantlyrefusetoheedthemaliciousgossip。Andhewasfirmlyresolvednottopermithertocompromiseherlifeandherfuturebyfriendshipwithasocialoutcastlikehimself。Asforanythingdeeperandmoresacredthanfriendship，thatwasridiculous。If，foramoment，aremarkofhershadledhimtodreamofsuchathing，itwasbecausehewas，ashehadsooftendeclared，an“oldfool。“
SoCaptainCyhadresolveduponflight，andhefledtoWashingtonbecausethebusinessofthe“committeeofone“offeredalegitimateexcuseforgoingthere。ThebluntmessagehehadintrustedtoGeorgiannawould，hebelieved，arousePhoebe\'sindignation。Shewouldnotcallagain。AndwhenhereturnedtoBos\'n，itwouldbetotakeupthechild\'sfightalone。Ifhelostthatfight，orWHEN
helostit，hewouldclosetheCyWhittakerplace，andleaveBayportforgood。
HehadbeeninWashingtononcebefore，yearsago，whenhewasfirstmateofashipandhadafewweeks\'shoreleave。Thenhewentthereonapleasuretripwithsomeseagoingfriends，andhadajollytime。Buttherewaspreciouslittlejollityinthepresentvisit。Hehadneverfeltsothoroughlymiserable。Inordertoforget，hemadeuphismindtoworkhishardesttodiscoverwhytheharborappropriationwasnottobegiventoBayport。