Andthen，inthisDecemberoftheyear1910，fellasfromaclearskythelegacyofagrandson。FromSenorMiguelCarlosSperanzatheSnowshadhadnodirectword，hadreceivednothingsavethenewspaperclippingalreadymentioned。Olivehadneverseenhim。
herhusbandhadseenhimonlyontheoccasionofthememorableinterviewinthehotelroom。Theyneverspokeofhim，nevermentionedhimtoeachother。Occasionally，intheBostonnewspapers，hislikenessincostumehadappearedamidthemusicnotesortheatricaljottings。Butthesehadnotbeenasnumerousoflate。Ofhisson，theirowndaughter’schild，theyknewnothing。hemightbealiveorhemightbedead。SometimesOlivefoundherselfspeculatingconcerninghim，wonderingifhewasalive，andifheresembledJane。Butsheputthespeculationfromherthoughts。shecouldnotbeartobringbackmemoriesoftheoldhopesandtheirbitterending。SometimesCaptainLoteathisdeskintheofficeofZ。Snow&Co。，LumberandBuilders’Hardware，
caughthimselfdreamingofhisidolizeddaughterandthinkinghowdifferentthefuturemighthavebeenforhimhadshemarriedawhiteman，thekindofmanhehadmeantforhertomarry。Theremightbegrandchildrengrowingupnow，fineboysandgirls，tovisittheoldhomeatSouthHarniss。Ahhum！Well！……Labe，howlonghasthisbillofAbnerParker’sbeenhangin’on？Forthundersakes，whydon’thepayup？Hemustthinkwe’rerunnin’ameetin’-houseChristmastree。
Theletterfromthelawyerhadcomefirst。ItwaswritteninNewYork，wasaddressedtoCaptainLotusSnow，andbeganbytakingforgrantedthefactthattherecipientknewallaboutmattersofwhichheknewnothing。Speranzawasdead，somuchwasplain，andtheinferencewasthathehadbeenfatallyinjuredinanautomobileaccident，particularsofwhichyouhaveofcoursereadinthepapers。NeitherCaptainLotenorhiswifehadreadanythingofthekindinthepapers。Thecaptainhadbeenverybusyoflateandhadreadlittleexceptpoliticalnews，andMrs。Snowneverreadofmurdersandaccidents，theirdetailsatleast。Shelookedupfromtheletter，whichherhusbandhadhastenedhomefromtheofficetobringher，withastartledface。
Oh，Zelotes，shecried，he’sdead！
Thecaptainnodded。
Seemsso，hesaid。Thatpart’splainenough，butgoon。TherestofitiswhatIcan’tgetahand-holdon。Seewhatyoumakeoftherestofit，Olive。
Therestofitwastotheeffectthatthewriter，beingMr。
Speranza’sbusinessadviser，thatistosay，asmuchormoresothananyoneelse，hadbeencalledinatthetimeoftheaccident，hadconferredwiththeinjuredman，andhadlearnedhislastwishes。Heexpressedhimselfcoherentlyconcerninghisson，wentontheletter，anditisinregardtothatsonthatIamaskinganinterviewwithyou。Ishouldhavewrittensooner，buthavebeenengagedwithmatterspertainingtoMr。Speranza’sestateandpersonaldebts。Thelatterseemtobelarge——
I’LLbetyou！observedCaptainZelotes，sententiously，interruptinghiswife’sreadingbypointingtothissentencewithabigforefinger。
’Andtheestate’saffairsmuchtangled，’wentonOlive，readingaloud。’ItseemsbestthatIshouldseeyouconcerningtheboyatonce。Idon’tknowwhetherornotyouareawarethatheisatschoolin——，NewYork。Iaminclinedtothinkthattheestateitselfwillscarcelywarranttheexpenseofhisremainingthere。
CouldyoumakeitconvenienttocometoNewYorkandseemeatonce？Or，ifnot，IshallbeinBostononFridayofnextweekandcanyoumeetmethere？Itseemsalmostimpossibleformetocometoyoujustnow，and，ofcourse，youwillunderstandthatIamactingasasortoftemporaryexecutormerelybecauseMr。SperanzawasformerlymyfriendandnotbecauseIhaveanypecuniaryinterestinthesettlementofhisaffairs。
’Verytrulyyours，’MARCUSW。WEISSMANN。’
Weissman！AnotherPortygee！snortedCaptainLote。
But——butwhatdoesitMEAN？beggedMrs。Snow。Why——whyshouldhewanttoseeyou，Zelotes？Andtheboy——why——why，that’sHER
boy。It’sJanie’sboyhemustmean，Zelotes。
Herhusbandnodded。
Hersandthatblastedfurriner’s，hemuttered。Isupposeso。
Oh，DON’Tspeakthatway，Zelotes！Don’t！He’sdead。
CaptainLote’slipstightened。Ifhe’ddiedtwentyyearsago’twouldhavebeenbetterforallhands，hegrowled。
Janie’sboy！repeatedOliveslowly。Why——why，hemustbeabigboynow。Almostgrownup。
Herhusbanddidnotspeak。Hewaspacingthefloor，hishandsinhispockets。
Andthismanwantstoseeyouabouthim，saidOlive。Then，afteramoment，sheaddedtimidly：Areyougoin’，Zelotes？
Goin’？Where？
ToNewYork？Toseethislawyerman？
I？Notbyajugful！WhatinblazesshouldIgotoseehimfor？
Well——well，hewantsyouto，youknow。Hewantstotalkwithyouaboutthe——theboy。
Humph！
It’sherboy，Zelotes。
Humph！YoungPortygee！
Don’t，Zelotes！Please！……Iknowyoucan’tforgivethat——
thatman。Wecan’teitherofusforgivehim。but——
Thecaptainstoppedinhisstride。Forgivehim！herepeated。
Mother，don’ttalklikeafool。Didn’thetakeawaytheonethingthatIwasworkin’for，thatIwasplannin’for，thatIwasLIVIN’
for？I——
Sheinterrupted，puttingahandonhissleeve。
Nottheonlything，dear，shesaid。Youhadme，youknow。
Hisexpressionchanged。Helookeddownatherandsmiled。
That’sright，oldlady，headmitted。Ihadyou，andthanktheAlmightyforit。Yes，Ihadyou……But，hisangerreturning，whenIthinkhowthatdamnedscampstoleourgirlfromusandthenneglectedherandkilledher——
ZELOTES！Howyoutalk！HeDIDN’Tkillher。Howcanyou！
Oh，Idon’tmeanhemurderedher，ofcourse。ButI’llbetallI’vegotthathemadehermiserable。Lookhere，Mother，youandsheusedtowritebackandforthonceinawhile。Inanyoneofthoselettersdidsheeversayshewashappy？
Mrs。Snow’sanswerwassomewhatequivocal。Sheneversaidshewasunhappy，shereplied。Herhusbandsniffedandresumedhispacingupanddown。
AfteralittleOlivespokeagain。
NewYorkISagoodways，shesaid。Maybe’twouldbebetterforyoutomeetthislawyermaninBoston。Don’tyouthinkso？
Bah！
Anotherinterval。Then：Zelotes？
Yes，impatiently。Whatisit？
It’sherboy，afterall，isn’tit？Ourgrandson，yoursandmine。
Don’tyouthink——don’tyouthinkit’syourdutytogo，Zelotes？
CaptainLotestampedhisfoot。
Forthunderationsakes，Olive，letup！hecommanded。Yououghttoknowbythistimethatthere’sonethingIhateworsethandoin’
myduty，that’sbein’preachedtoaboutit。Letup！Don’tyousayanotherword。
Shedidnot，havinglearnedmuchbyyearsofexperience。Hesaidthenextwordonthesubjecthimself。Atnoon，whenhecamehomefordinner，hesaid，astheyrosefromthetable：Where’smysuitcase，upattic？
Why，yes，Iguesslikely’tis。Why？
Insteadofansweringheturnedtothehousekeeper，Mrs。Ellis。
Rachel，hesaid，goupandgetthatcaseandfetchitdowntothebedroom，willyou？Hurryup！Trainleavesathalf-pasttwoandit’s’mostonenow。
Bothwomenstaredathim。Mrs。Ellisspokefirst。
Why，Cap’nLote，shecried。beyougoin’away？
Heremployer’sanswerwascrispandverymuchtothepoint。IamifIcangetthatcasetimeenoughtopackitandmakethetrain，
heobserved。Ifyoustandhereaskin’questionsIprobablyshallstaytohome。
Thehousekeepermadeahastyexitbywayofthebackstairs。Mrs。
Snowstillgazedwonderinglyatherhusband。
Zelotes，shefaltered，areyou——areyou——
I’mgoin’toNewYorkonto-night’sboat。I’vetelegraphedthat——
thatWeiss——Weiss——what-do-you-call-it——thatPortygeelawyer——thatI’llbetohisofficeto-morrowmornin’。
But，Zelotes，wehaven’tscarcelytalkedaboutit，youandI，atall。YoumighthavewaitedtillhecametoBoston。WhydoyougosoSOON？
Thecaptain’sheavybrowsdrewtogether。
Youwenttothedentist’slastFriday，hesaid。Whydidn’tyouwaittillnextweek？
Why——why，whataquestion！MytoothachedandIwantedtohaveitfixedquickaspossible。
Um-m，yes。Well，thistoothachesandIwantitfixedorhauledout，oneort’other。Iwantthethingoffmymind……Don’tTALKtome？headded，irritably。IknowI’mafool。And，withaperemptorywaveofthehand，don’tyouDAREsayanythingaboutDUTY！
Hewasbackagaintwodayslater。Hiswifedidnotquestionhim，butwaitedforhimtospeak。Thoseyearsofexperiencealreadymentionedhadtaughtherdiplomacy。Helookedatherandpulledhisbeard。Well，heobserved，whentheywerealonetogether，I
sawhim。
The——theboy？eagerly。
No，no！Coursenot！Theboy’satschoolsomewhereupinNewYorkState。howcouldIseehim！IsawthatlawyerandIfoundoutabout——abouttheotherscamp。Hewaskilledinanautoaccident，drunkatthetime，Ical’late。Nigh’sIcangatherhe’sbeendrinkin’prettyheavyforthelastsixorsevenyears。Alwayslivedhigh，sameashiskindgenerallydoes，andspentmoneylikewater，Ijudge——butgoin’downhillfastlately。Hisvoicewasgivin’outonhimandherealizedit，Ipresumelikely。Nowhe’sdeadandleftnothin’buttrunksfullofstageclothesandphotographsand，contemptuously，lettersfromfoolwomen，anddebts——Lord，yes！debtsenough。
Buttheboy，Zelotes。Janie’sboy？
He’sbeenatthisschoolplaceforprettynightenyears，sothelawyerfellersaid。Thatlawyerwasaprettydecentchap，too，forafurriner。Seemsheusedtoknowthis——Speranzarascal——whenSperanzawasyoungerandmoredecent——ifheeverwasreallydecent，whichIdoubt。Butthislawyermanwashisfriendthenandabouttheonlyonehereallyhadwhenhewashurt。Therewasplentyofmake-believefriendshangin’on，likepilot-fishtoashark，forwhattheycouldgetbyspongin’onhim，butrealfriendswerescarce。
Andtheboy——
FortheLordsakes，Mother，don’tkeepsayin’’Theboy，’’theboy，’overandoveragainlikeatalkin’machine！Letmefinishaboutthefatherfirst。ThisWeis——er——thingamajig——thelawyer，hadquiteatalkwithSperanzaaforehedied，orwhilehewasdyin’。heonlylivedafewhoursaftertheaccidentandwasoutofhisheadpartofthat。ButhesaidenoughtoletWeiss——er——er——
Oh，whyCAN’TIrememberthatPortygee’sname？——tolethimknowthathe’dliketohavehimsettleupwhatwasleftofhisaffairs，andtosendwordtousabout——abouttheboy。There！Ihopeyoufeeleasier，Mother。I’vegot’roundto’theboy’atlast。
Butwhydidhewantwordsenttous，Zelotes？Heneverwrotealinetousinhislife。
Youbethedidn’t！bitterly。heknewbetter。Whydidhewantwordsentnow？Theanswertothat’seasyenough。’Causehewantedtogetsomethin’outofus，that’sthereason。Fromwhatthatlawyercouldgather，andfromwhathe’sfoundoutsince，thereain’tmoneyenoughfortheboytostayanothersixweeksatthatschool，oranywhereelse，unlesstheyoungfellerearnsithimself。
And，leavin’usoutofthecount，thereisn’tarelationthissideofthesaltpond。There’sprobablyamillionorsooverthereinPortygee-land，withaderisivesniff。thoseforeignersbreedlikeflies。ButTHEYdon’tcount。
Butdidhewantwordsenttousaboutthe——
Sshh！I’mtellin’you，Olive，I’mtellin’you。Hewantedwordsentbecausehewasinhopesthatwe——youandI，Mother——wouldtakethatsonofhisinatourhousehereandgivehimahome。Thecheekofit！Afterwhathe’ddonetoyouandme，blasthim！Thesolidbrassnerveofit！
Hestormedupanddowntheroom。HiswifedidnotseemnearlysomuchdisturbedasheatthethoughtoftheSperanzapresumption。
Shelookedanxious——yes，butshelookedeager，too，andhergazewasfixeduponherhusband’sface。
Oh！shesaid，softly。Oh！……And——andwhatdidyousay，Zelotes？
WhatdidIsay？WhatdoyousupposeIsaid？Isaidno，andI
saiditgoodandloud，too。
Olivemadenocomment。Sheturnedawayherhead，andthecaptain，whonowinhisturnwaswatchingher，sawasuspiciousgleam，asofmoisture，onhercheek。Hestoppedhispacingandlaidahandonhershoulder。
There，there，Mother，hesaid，gently。Don’tcry。He’scomin’。
Comin’？Sheturnedpale。Comin’？sherepeated。Who？
Thatboy！……Sshh！shh！impatiently。Nowdon’tgoaskin’mequestionsortellin’mewhatIjustsaidIsaid。ISAIDtherightthing，but——Well，hangitall，whatelsecouldIDO？Iwrotetheboy——Albert——aletterandIwrotethebossoftheschoolanotherone。Isentacheckalongforexpensesand——Well，he’llbehere’mostanydaynow，Ishouldn’twonder。AndWHATinthedevilarewegoin’todowithhim？
Hiswifedidnotreplytothisoutburst。Shewastremblingwithexcitement。
Is——ishisnameAlbert？shefaltered。
Um-hm。Seemsso。
Why，that’syourmiddlename！Doyou——doyous’poseJaniecouldhavenamedhimfor——foryou？
Idon’tknow。
Ofcourse，withsomehesitation，itmaybeshedidn’t。Ifshe’dnamedhimZelotes——
Goodheavens，woman！Isn’tonenamelikethatenoughinthefamily？ThanktheLordwe’resparedtwoof’em！Butthere！he’scomin’。Andwhenhegetshere——thenwhat？
Oliveputherarmaboutherbighusband。
Ihope——yes，I’msureyoudidright，Zelotes，andthatall’sgoin’
toturnouttobeforthebest。
Areyou？Well，_I_ain’tsure，notbyathousandfathom。
He’sJanie’sboy。
Yes。Andhe’sthatplay-actor’sboy，too。OneSperanzaprettynighruinedyourlifeandmine，Olive。What’llthisonedo？……
Well，Godknows，Isupposelikely，butHewon’ttell。Allwecandoiswaitandsee。ItellyouhonestIain’tveryhopeful。
CHAPTERIII
Abriskraponthedoor。thenaman’svoice。
Hello，there！Wakeup。
Albertrolledover，openedoneeye，thentheotherandraisedhimselfonhiselbow。
Eh？Wh-what？hestammered。
Seveno’clock！Timetoturnout。
Thevoicewashisgrandfather’s。Oh——oh，allright！heanswered。
Understandme，doyou？
Yes——yes，sir。I’llberightdown。
ThestairscreakedasCaptainZelotesdescendedthem。Albertyawnedcavernously，stretchedandslidonefootoutofbed。Hedrewitbackinstantly，however，forthesensationwasthatofhavingthrustitintoabucketofcoldwater。Theroomhadbeencoldthepreviousevening。plainlyitwascolderstillnow。Thetemptationwastoturnbackandgotosleepagain，buthefoughtagainstit。Somehowhehadafeelingthattodisregardhisgrandfather’ssummonswouldbepoordiplomacy。
Hesethisteethand，tossingbackthebedclothes，jumpedtothefloor。Thenhejumpedagain，forthefloorwaslikeice。Thewindowwaswideopenandheclosedit，buttherewasnowarmradiatortocuddleagainstwhiledressing。Hemissedhiscompulsorymorningshower，amisswhichdidnotdistresshimgreatly。Heshookhimselfintohisclothes，sousedhisheadandneckinabasinoficewaterpouredfromapitcher，and，beforebrushinghishair，lookedoutofthewindow。
Itwasasharpwintermorning。Thewindhadgonedown，butbeforesubsidingithadblowneverytraceofmistorhazefromtheair，andfromhiswindow-silltothehorizoneverydetailwascleancutanddistinct。Hewaslookingout，itseemed，fromthebackofthehouse。Theroofofthekitchenextensionwasbelowhimand，totheright，thehighroofofthebarn。Overthekitchenroofandtothelefthesawlittlerollinghills，valleys，cranberryswamps，apond。Aroadwoundinandoutand，scatteredalongit，werehouses，mostlywhitewithgreenblinds，butoccasionallyvariedbythegrayofunpainted，weatheredshingles。Along，low-spreadingbuildingahalfmileofflookedasifitmightbeasummerhotel，nowclosedandshuttered。Beyonditwasaclusterofgrayshantiesandagleamofwater，evidentlyawharfandaminiatureharbor。
And，beyondthat，thedeep，brilliantblueofthesea。Brownandblueweretheprevailingcolors，but，hereandthere，clumpsandgrovesofpinesgavesplashesofgreen。
Therewasanexhilarationinthecrispair。Hefeltanunwontedlivelinessandadesiretobeactivewhichwouldhavesurprisedsomeofhisteachersattheschoolhehadjustleft。Thedepressionofspiritsofwhichhehadbeenconsciousthepreviousnighthaddisappearedalongwithhispremonitionsofunpleasantness。Hefeltoptimisticthismorning。Aftergivinghiscurlsarakewiththecomb，heopenedthedooranddescendedthesteepstairstothelowerfloor。
Hisgrandmotherwassettingthebreakfasttable。Hewasalittlesurprisedtoseeherdoingit。Whatwastheuseofhavingservantsifonedidtheworkoneself？Butperhapsthehousekeeperwasill。
Goodmorning，hesaid。
Mrs。Snow，whohadnotheardhimenter，turnedandsawhim。Whenhecrossedtheroom，shekissedhimonthecheek。
Goodmorning，Albert，shesaid。Ihopeyousleptwell。
Albertrepliedthathehadsleptverywellindeed。Hewasatrifledisappointedthatshemadenocommentonhispromptnessinansweringhisgrandfather’ssummons。Hefeltsuchpromptnessdeservedcommendation。Atschooltheyrangtwobellsattenminuteintervals，thusgivingafellowasecondchance。Ithadbeenapointofsenioretiquettetoacceptnothingbutthatsecondchance。Here，apparently，hewasexpectedtojumpatthefirst。Therewasamatterofcourseabouthisgrandmother’sattitudewhichwasdisturbing。
Shewentonsettingthetable，talkingasshedidso。
I’mrealgladyoudidsleep，shesaid。Somefolkscanhardlyeversleepthefirstnightinastrangeroom。Zelotes——Imeanyourgrandpa——’sgoneouttoseetothehorseandfeedthehensandthepig。He’llbeinprettysoon。Thenwe’llhavebreakfast。I
supposeyou’reawfulhungry。
Asamatteroffacthewasnotveryhungry。Breakfastwasalwaysamoreorlessperfunctorymealwithhim。Buthewassurprisedtoseethevarietyofeatablesuponthattable。Therewerecookiesthere，anddoughnuts，andevenhalfanapplepie。Pieforbreakfast！Ithadbeenanewspaperjokeatwhichhehadlaughedmanytimes。Butitseemednottobeajokehere，ratherasolemnreality。
ThekitchendooropenedandMrs。Ellisputinherhead。ToAlbert’sastonishmenttheupperpartofthehead，beginningjustabovethebrows，wasswathedinahugebandage。Thelowerpartwasapictureofhopelessmisery。
HasCap’nLotecomeinyet？inquiredthehousekeeper，faintly。
Notyet，Rachel，repliedMrs。Snow。He’llbehereinaminute，though。Albert’sdown，soyoucanbegintakin’upthethings。
Theheaddisappeared。Asighofcompletewretchednessdriftedinasthedoorclosed。Albertlookedathisgrandmotherinalarm。
Isshesick？hefaltered。
Who？Rachel？No，sheain’texactlysick……Dearme！WheredidIputthatcleannapkin？
Theboystaredatthekitchendoor。Ifhisgrandmotherhadsaidthehousekeeperwasnotexactlydeadhemighthaveunderstood。Buttosayshewasnotexactlysick——
But——butwhatmakesherlookso？hestammered。And——andwhat’sshegotthatonherheadfor？Andshegroaned！Why，sheMUSTbesick！
Mrs。Snow，havingfoundthecleannapkin，laiditbesideherhusband’splate。
No，shesaidcalmly。It’soneofhersympatheticattacks。
that’swhatshecalls’em，sympatheticattacks。Shehas’emeverytimeLabanKeelerstartsinononeofhisperiodics。It’snerves，Isuppose。Cap’nZelotes——yourgrandfather——saysit’severlastin’
foolishness。Whatever’tis，it’sanuisance。Andshe’ssosensibleothertimes，too。
Albertwasmorepuzzledthanever。WhyintheworldMrs。EllisshouldtieupherheadandgroanbecausethelittleKeelerpersonhadgoneonaspreewasbeyondhiscomprehension。
Hisgrandmotherenlightenedhimatrifle。
Yousee，shewenton，sheandLabanhavebeenengagedtobemarriedeversincetheywereyoungfolks。It’sLaban’sweaknessforliquorthat’skept’emapartsolong。Shewon’tmarryhimwhilehedrinksandhekeepsswearin’offandthenbreakingdown。
He’sagoodman，too。anawfulgoodmanandcapableasallget-outwhenhe’ssober。Latelythatis，forthelastsevenoreightyears，beginnin’withthetimewhenthatlectureronmesmerismandtelegraphy——no，telepathy——thought-transfersandsuch——wasatthetownhall——Rachelhasbeenhavin’thesesympatheticattacksofhers。Shedeclaresthatalcohol-takin’isadiseaseandthatLabansufferswhenhe’stipsyandthatsheandhearesobounduptogetherthatshesuffersjustthesameashedoes。ImustsayI
nevernoticedhimsufferin’verymuch，notatthebeginnin，’
anyhow——actsmoreashewashavin’agoodtime——butsheseemsto。
Idon’twonderyousmile，sheadded。’Tisfunny，inaway，andit’squeerthatsuchapractical，common-sensewomanasRachelEllisis，shouldhavesuchanotion。It’shardonus，though。
Don’tsayanythingtoheraboutit，anddon’tlaughather，whateveryoudo。
Albertwantedtolaughverymuch。But，Mrs。Snow——hebegan。
Mercysakesalive！Youain’tgoin’tocallme’Mrs。Snow，’I
hope。
No，ofcoursenot。But，GrandmotherwhydoyouandCaptain——youandGrandfatherkeepherandKeeleriftheyaresomuchtrouble？
Whydon’tyouletthemgoandgetsomeoneelse？
Let’emgo？Getsomeoneelse！Why，weCOULDN’Tgetanybodyelse，anyonewhowouldbelikethem。They’realmostapartofourfamily。thatis，Rachelis，she’sbeenheresincegoodnessknowswhen。And，whenhe’ssoberLabanalmostrunsthelumberbusiness。
Besides，they’renicefolks——almostalways。
PlainlythewaysofSouthHarnisswerenotthewaysoftheworldhehadknown。CertainlythesepeoplewereRubesandqueerRubes，too。Thenherememberedthattwoofthemwerehisgrandparentsandthathisimmediatefuturewas，sotospeak，intheirhands。Thethoughtwasnotentirelycomfortingordelightful。Hewasstillponderinguponitwhenhisgrandfathercameinfromthebarn。
Thecaptainsaidgoodmorninginthesamewayhehadsaidgoodnight，thatis，heandAlbertshookhandsandtheboywasagainconsciousofthegazewhichtookhiminfromheadtofootandofthequiettwinkleinthegrayeyes。
Sleepwell，son？inquiredCaptainZelotes。
Yes……Yes，sir。
That’sgood。Ijudgedyouwasmakin’aprettygoodtryatitwhenIthumpedonyourdoorthismornin’。Somethin’newforyoutobeturnedoutatseven，eh？
No，sir。
Eh？Itwasn’t？
No，sir。Therisingbellrangatsevenupatschool。Weweresupposedtobedownatbreakfastataquarterpast。
Humph！Youwere，eh？Supposedtobe？Doesthatmeanthatyouwerethere？
Yes，sir。
Therewasasurprisedlookinthegrayeyesnow，afactwhichAlbertnoticedwithinwarddelight。Hehadtakenoneriseoutofhisgrandfather，atanyrate。Hewaited，hopingforanotheropportunity，butitdidnotcome。Insteadtheysatdowntobreakfast。
Breakfast，inspiteofthemorningsunshineatthewindows，wassomewhatgloomy。Thehomesickness，althoughnotasacuteasonthepreviousnight，wasstillinevidence。Albertfeltlost，outofhiselement，lonely。And，toaddatouchofrealmiserableness，thehousekeeperservedandatelikeanearrelativeofthedeceasedatafuneralfeast。Shemovedslowly，shesighedheavily，andthebandageuponherforeheadloomedlargeandportentous。Whenspokentosheseldomrepliedbeforethethirdattempt。CaptainZeloteslostpatience。
Haveanotheregg？heroared，brandishingthespooncontainingitatarm’slengthandalmostunderhernose。Egg！Egg！EGG！Ifyoucan’thearit，smellit。Onlyanswer，forheavensakes！
Theeffectofthisoutburstwasobviouslynotwhathehadhoped。
Mrs。Ellisstaredfirstattheeggquiveringbeforeherface，thenatthecaptain。Thensheroseandmarchedmajesticallytothekitchen。Thedoorclosed，butaheartrendingsniffdriftedinthroughthecrack。Olivelaiddownherknifeandfork。
There！sheexclaimed，despairingly。Nowseewhatyou’vedone。
Oh，Zelotes，howmanytimeshaveItoldyouyou’vegottotreathertactfulwhenshe’sthisway？
CaptainLoteputtheeggbackinthebowl。
DAMN！heobserved，withintenseenthusiasm。
Hiswifeshookherhead。
Swearin’don’thelpitamite，either，shedeclared。BesidesI
don’tknowwhatAlbertheremustthinkofyou。Albert，who，betweenastonishmentandawilddesiretolaugh，wasinacriticalcondition，appearedratherembarrassed。Hisgrandfatherlookedathimandsmiledgrimly。
Ical’lateonedamnwon’tscarehimtodeath，heobserved。
Maybehe’sheardsomethin’likeitafore。Ordotheysay，’Oh，sugar！’upatthatschoolyoucomefrom？headded。
Albert，notknowinghowtoreply，lookedmoreembarrassedthanever。Oliveseemedonthepointofweeping。
Oh，Zelotes，howCANyou！shewailed。Andto-day，ofalldays！
Hisveryfirstmornin’！
CaptainLoterelented。
There，there，Mother！hesaid。I’msorry。Forgetit。SorryifIshockedyou，Albert。There’stimeswhensalt-waterlanguageistheonlythingthatseemstohelpmeout……Well，Mother，whatnext？What’llwedonow？
YouknowjustaswellasIdo，Zelotes。There’sonlyonethingyoucando。That’sgooutandbegherpardonthisminute。There’sadozenplacesshecouldgetrighthereinSouthHarnisswithoutturnin’herhandover。AndifsheshouldleaveIdon’tknowWHAT
I’ddo。
Leave！Sheain’tgoin’toleaveanymore’nthantheship’scat’sgoin’tojumpoverboard。She’sbeenheresolongshewouldn’tknowhowtoleaveifshewantedto。
Thatdon’tmakeanydifference。Thepitcherthatgoestothewell——er——er——
Shehadevidentlyforgottentherestoftheproverb。Herhusbandhelpedherout。
Flockstogetherorgathersnomoss，orsomethin’，eh？Allright，Mother，don’tfret。Thereain’treallyanyoccasionto，considerin’
we’vebeenthroughsomethin’likethisatleastonceeverysixmonthsfortenyears。
Zelotes，won’tyouPLEASEgoandaskherpardon？
Thecaptainpushedbackhischair。I’llbehangedifitain’tahealthynote，hegrumbled，whentheskipperhastogoandapologizetothecookbecausethecook’smadeafoolofherself！
I’dliketoknowwhatkindofrumLabedrinks。Ineversawanybuthiskindthatwouldgotosomebodyelse’shead。Twopeoplegettin’
tightandonlyoneof’emdrinkin’issomethin’——
Hedisappearedintothekitchen，stillmuttering。Mrs。Snowsmiledfeeblyathergrandson。
Iguessyouthinkwe’refunnyfolks，Albert，shesaid。ButRachelisonehiredhelpinathousandandshehastobetreatedjustso。
FiveminuteslaterCap’n’Lotereturned。Heshruggedhisshouldersandsatdownathisplace。
Allright，Mother，allright，heobserved。I’vebeenheavin’
ileonthetroubledwatersandthesea’ssmoothin’down。She’llbekindandcondescendin’enoughtoeatwithusinaminuteorso。
Shewas。Shecameintothedining-roomwiththeairofasaintgoingtomartyrdomandtheremainderofthemealwaseatenbythequartetalmostinsilence。Whenitwasoverthecaptainsaid：
Well，Al，feellikewalkin’，doyou？
Why，why，yes，sir，Iguessso。
Humph！Youdon’tseemverywildattheprospect。Walkin’ain’tmuchinyourline，maybe。Moreusedtoautoin’，perhaps？
Mrs。Snowputinaword。Don’ttalkso，Zelotes，shesaid。
He’llthinkyou’remakin’funofhim。
Who？Me？Notabitofit。Well，Al，doyouwanttowalkdowntothelumberyardwithme？
Theboyhesitated。Thequietnoteofsarcasminhisgrandfather’svoicewasmakinghimfuriouslyangryoncemore，justasithaddoneonthepreviousnight。
Doyouwantmeto？heasked，shortly。
Why，yes，Ical’lateIdo。
Albert，withoutanotherword，walkedtothehat-rackinthehallandbeganputtingonhiscoat。CaptainLotewatchedhimforamomentandthenputonhisown。
We’llbebacktodinner，Mother，hesaid。Heaveahead，Al，ifyou’reready。
TherewaslittleconversationbetweenthepairduringthehalfmilewalktotheofficeandyardsofZ。SnowandCo。，LumberandBuilders’Hardware。Onlyoncedidthecaptainofferaremark。
Thatwasjustastheycameoutbythebigpostsattheentrancetothedriveway。Thenhesaid：
Al，Idon’twantyoutogettheideafromwhathappenedatthetablejustnow——thatfoolishnessaboutRachelEllis——thatyourgrandmotherain’tasensiblewoman。Sheis，andthere’snobetteroneonearth。Don’tletthatfactslipyourmind。
Albert，somewhatstartledbytheabruptnessoftheobservation，lookedupinsurprise。Hefoundthegrayeyeslookingdownathim。
Inoticedyoulookin’ather，wentonhisgrandfather，asifyouwaskindofwonderin’whethertolaughatherorpityher。Youneedn’tdoeither。She’skind-heartedandthatmakesherputupwithRachel’ssilliness。Then，besides，Rachelherselfiscommonsenseandpracticalnine-tenthsofthetime。It’salwaysagoodidea，son，tosailonev’yagealongwithapersonbeforeyoudecidewhethertoclass’emasA。B。orjustroustabout。
Thebloodrushedtotheboy’sface。Hefeltguiltyandthefeelingmadehimangrierthanever。
Idon’tseewhy，heburstout，indignantly，youshouldsayIwaslaughingat——atMrs。Snow——
Atyourgrandmother。
Well——yes——atmygrandmother。Idon’tseewhyyoushouldsaythat。Iwasn’t。
Wasn’tyou？Good！I’mgladofit。Iwouldn’t，anyhow。She’sliabletobeaboutthebestfriendyou’llhaveinthisworld。
ToAlbert’smindflashedtheaddition：Betterthanyou，thatmeans，buthekeptittohimself。
Thelumberyardswereonaspurtracknotveryfarfromtherailwaystationwherehehadspentthatmiserablehalfhourthepreviousevening。Thedarknessthenhadpreventedhisseeingthem。Notthathewouldhavebeengreatlyinterestedifhehadseenthem，norwashemoreinterestednow，althoughhisgrandfathertookhimonapersonallyconductedtourbetweenthepilesofspruceandpineandhemlockandpointedoutwhichwaswhichandaddedfurtherdetails。
Thosearetwobyfours，hesaid。Or，Thosearelargerjoist，differentsizes。Thisisgood，clearstock，asgoodalotofwhitepineaswe’vegotholdofforalongspell。Hegaveparticularsconcerningthehandiestwaytodriveateamtooneortheotherofthepiles。Albertfounditratherboring。HelongedtospeakconcerningenormouslumberyardshehadseeninNewYorkorChicagoorelsewhere。Hefeltalmostapityingcondescensiontowardthisprovincialgrandparentwhoseemedtothinkhislittlepilesoftwobyfourssoimportant。
Itwasmuchthesame，perhapsalittleworse，whentheyenteredthehardwareshopandtheoffice。Therowsandrowsoflittledrawersandboxes，eachwithsamplesofitscontents——screws，orbolts，orhooks，orknobs——affixedtoitsfront，wereevenmoreboringthanthelumberpiles。Therewasacountryfied，middle-agedpersoninoverallssweepingouttheshopandCaptainZelotesintroducedhim。
Albert，hesaid，thisisMr。IssacharPrice，whoworksaroundtheplacehere。Issy，letmemakeyouacquaintedwithmygrandson，Albert。
Mr。Price，lookingoverhisspectacles，extendedahornyhandandobserved：Yus，yus。Pleasedtomeetyou，Albert。I’veheardtellofyou。
Albert’sprivateappraisalofIssywasthatthelatterwasanotherfunnyRube。WhateverIssy’sestimateofhisemployer’sgrandsonmighthavebeen，he，also，keptittohimself。
CaptainZeloteslookedabouttheshopandglancedintotheoffice。
Humph！hegrunted。NosignorsymptomsofLabanthismornin’，I
presumelikely？
Issacharwentonwithhissweeping。
Naryone，washislaconicreply。
Humph！Heardanythingabouthim？
Mr。Pricemoistenedhisbroominabucketofwater。IseeTimKelleyonmywaydownstreet，hesaid。TimsaidherunafoulofLabanalongabouttenlastnight。Saidhecal’latedLabewasonhisway。Hewassingin’’HyannisontheCape’andsoTimfiggeredhe’dgotaprettyfairstartalready。
Thecaptainshookhishead。Tut，tut，tut！hemuttered。Well，thatmeansI’llhavetodoofficeworkforthenextweekorso。
Humph！Ideclareit’stoobadjustnowwhenIwascountin’onhimto——Hedidnotfinishthesentence，butinsteadturnedtohisgrandsonandsaid：Al，whydon’tyoulookaroundthehardwarestoreherewhileIopenthemailandthesafe。Ifthere’sanythingyouseeyoudon’tunderstandIssy’lltellyouaboutit。
Hewentintotheoffice。Albertsaunteredlistlesslytothewindowandlookedout。Sofarasnotunderstandinganythingintheshopwasconcernedhewasquitewillingtoremaininignorance。Itdidnotinteresthimintheleast。Amomentlaterhefeltatouchonhiselbow。Heturned，tofindMr。Pricestandingbesidehim。
I’mallreadytotellyouaboutitnow，volunteeredtheunsmilingIssy。Sweepin’sallfinishedup。
Albertwasamused。IguessIcangetalong，hesaid。
Don’tworry。
_I_ain’tworriednone。Idon’tbelieveinworryin’。worryin’
don’tdofolksnogood，thewayIlookatit。Butlong’sCap’nLotewantsmetotellyouaboutthehardwareI’drutherdoitnow，thananytime。HenryCahoon’steam’llbehereforaloadoflathinabouttenminutesorso，andthenI’llhavetoleaveyou。Thishere’stheshelfwherewekeepthebutts——hinges，youunderstand。
Brassalonghere，andironhere。Gotquiteastock，ain’twe。
Hetookthevisitor’sarminhismightypawandledhimfromshelvestodrawersandfromdrawerstoboxes，talkingallthetime，sotheboythought，likeacatalogue。Alberttriedgentlytobreakawayseveraltimesandyawnedoften，butyawnsandhintswerequitelostonhisguide，whowasintentonlyuponthebusiness——andvictim——inhand。AtthewindowlookingacrosstowardthemainroadAlbertpausedlongest。Therewasagirlinsight——shelooked，atthatdistance，asifshemightbearatherprettygirl——andtheyoungmanwaslanguidlyinterested。Hehadrecentlymadethediscoverythatprettygirlsmaybequiteinteresting。and，moreover，oneortwoofthemwhomhehadmetattheschooldances——whentheyoungladiesfromtheMissesBradshaws’seminaryhadcomeover，dulyguardedandchaperoned，toone-stepandfox-trotwiththeyounggentlemenoftheschool——oneortwooftheseyoungladieshadintimatedacertaininterestinhim。Sothefemininepossibilityacrosstheroadattractedhisnotice——onlyslightly，ofcourse。thesophisticatedmetropolitannoticeisnoteasilyaroused——butstill，slightly。
Comeon，comeon，urgedIssacharPrice。Iain’tbeguntoshowyethewholeofityet……Eh？Oh，Lord，therecomesCahoon’steamnow！Well，Igottogo。Showyoutherestsomeothertime。
Solong……Eh？Cap’nLote’scallin’you，ain’the？
Albertwentintotheofficeinresponsetohisgrandfather’scalltofindthelatterseatedatanold-fashionedroll-topdesk，piledwithpapers。
I’vegottogodowntothebank，Al，hesaid。SomebusinessaboutanotethatLabanoughttobeheretoseeto，butain’t。
I’llbebackprettysoon。Youjuststayhereandwaitforme。Youmightbelookin’overthebooks，ifyouwantto。Itook’emoutofthesafeandthey’reonLabe’sdeskthere，pointingtothehighstandingdeskbythewindow。They’reworthlookin’at，ifonlytoseehowneatthey’rekept。Asetofbookslikethatisanexampletoanyyoungman。Youmightbelookin’’emover。
Hehurriedout。Albertsmiledcondescendinglyand，insteadoflookingoverMr。Keeler’sbooks，walkedovertothewindowandlookedoutofthat。Thegirlwasnotinsightnow，butshemightbesoon。Atanyratewatchingforherwasasexcitingasanyamusementhecouldthinkofaboutthatdullhole。Ahhum！hewonderedhowthefellowswereatschool。
Thegirldidnotreappear。Signsofanimationalongthemainroadwerelimited。Oneortwomenwentby，thenagroupofchildrenobviouslyontheirwaytoschool。Albertyawnedagain，tookthesilvercigarettecasefromhispocketandlookedlonginglyatitscontents。Hewonderedwhathisgrandfather’sideasmightbeonthetobaccoquestion。Buthisgrandfatherwasnottherethen……
andhemightnotreturnforsometime……and……Hetookacigarettefromthecase，tapped，withcarefulcarelessness，itsenduponthecase——hewouldnothavedreamedofsmokingwithoutfirstgoingthroughthetappingprocess——lightedthecigaretteandblewalargeandsatisfyingcloud。Betweenpuffshesang：
Toyou，beautifullady，Iraisemyeyes。
Myheart，beautifullady，Toyourheartcries：
Come，come，beautifullady，ToPar-a-dise，Asthesweet，sweet——’
Someonebehindhimsaid：Excuseme。Theappealtothebeautifulladybrokeoffinthemiddle，andhewhirledabouttofindthegirlwhomhehadseenacrosstheroadandforwhosereappearancehehadbeenwatchingatthewindow，standingintheofficedoorway。Helookedatherandshelookedathim。Hewasembarrassed。Shedidnotseemtobe。
Excuseme，shesaid：IsMr。Keelerhere？
Shewasaprettygirl，sohishastyestimatemadewhenhehadfirstsightedherwascorrect。Herhairwasdark，sowerehereyes，andhercheekswerebecominglycoloredbythechillofthewinterair。
Shewasacountrygirl，herhatandcoatprovedthat。notthattheywereinbadtasteorunbecoming，buttheyweresimpleandtheirstyleperhapsnearertothatwhichtheyoungladiesoftheMissesBradshaws’seminaryhadwornthepreviouswinter。AllthisAlbertnoticedindetaillateron。Justthentheparticularpointwhichattractedhisembarrassedattentionwasthelookinthedarkeyes。
Theyseemedtohavealmostthesamedisturbingqualitywhichhehadnoticedinhisgrandfather’sgrayones。Hermouthwasveryproperandgrave，buthereyeslookedasifshewerelaughingathim。
Nowtobelaughedatbyanattractiveyoungladyisdisturbingandunpleasant。Itisparticularlysowhenthelaughterisfromtheprovincesandthelaughee——sotospeak——adignifiedandsophisticatedcityman。Albertsummonedthesaiddignityandsophisticationtohisrescue，knockedtheashesfromhiscigaretteandsaid，haughtily：
Ibegyourpardon？
IsMr。Keelerhere？repeatedthegirl。
No，heisout。
Willhebebacksoon，doyouthink？
RecollectionsofMr。Price’srecentremarkconcerningthemissingbookkeeper’sgoodstartcametoAlbert’smindandhesmiled，slightly。Ishouldsaynot，heobserved，withdelicateirony。
IsIssy——ImeanMr。Price，busy？
He’soutintheyardtheresomewhere，Ibelieve。Wouldyouliketohavemecallhim？
Why，yes——ifyouplease——sir。
Thesirwasflattering，ifitwassincere。Heglancedather。
Theexpressionofthemouthwasasgraveasever，buthewasstilluncertainaboutthoseeyes。However，hewasdisposedtogiveherthebenefitofthedoubt，so，steppingtothesidedooroftheoffice——thatleadingtotheyards——heopeneditandshouted：
Price！……Hey，Price！
Therewasnoanswer，althoughhecouldhearIssachar’svoiceandanotherabovetherattleoflathbundles。
Price！heshouted，again。Pri-i-ce！
Therattlingceased。Then，inthemiddledistance，aboveapileoftwobyfours，appearedIssachar’shead，thefeaturesagitatedandtheforeheadbedewedwiththemoistureofhonesttoil。
Huh？yelledIssy。What’sthematter？Beyouhollerin’tome？
Yes。There’ssomeoneherewantstoseeyou。
Hey？
Isaythere’ssomeoneherewhowantstoseeyou。
Whatfor？
Idon’tknow。
Well，findout，can’tye？I’mbusy。
WasthatalaughwhichAlbertheardbehindhim？Heturnedaround，buttheyounglady’sfaceworethesamegrave，evendemure，expression。
Whatdoyouwanttoseehimfor？heasked。
Iwantedtobuysomething。
Shewantstobuysomething，repeatedAlbert，shouting。
Hey？
Shewantsto——BUY——something。Itwashumiliatingtohavetoscreaminthisway。
Buy？Buywhat？
Whatdoyouwanttobuy？
Ahook，that’sall。Ahookforourkitchendoor。Wouldyoumindaskinghimtohurry？Ihaven’tmuchtime。
Shewantsahook。
Eh？Wedon’tkeepbooks。Whatkindofabook？
Notbook——HOOK。H-O-O-K！Oh，greatScott！Hook！HOOK！Hookforadoor！Andshewantsyoutohurry。
Eh？Well，Ican’thurrynowfornobody。Igottoloadtheselathsandthat’sallthereistoit。Can’tyouwaitonhim？
Evidentlythecustomer’ssexhadnotyetbeenmadecleartothePriceunderstanding。Youcangetahookforhim，can’tye？Youknowwheretheybe，Ishowedye。Ain’tforgotsosoon，’tain’tlikely。
Theheaddisappearedbehindthetwobyfours。Itsfacewasred，butnoredderthanMr。Speranza’satthatmoment。
Foolrube！hesnorted，disgustedly。
Excuseme，butyou’vedroppedyourcigarette，observedtheyounglady。
Albertsavagelyslammeddownthewindowandturnedaway。Thedroppedcigarettestumplaywhereithadfallen，smudgingandsmelling。
Hiscallerlookedatitandthenathim。
I’dpickitup，ifIwereyou，shesaid。Cap’nSnowHATES
cigarettes。
Albert，hisdignityandindignationforgotten，returnedherlookwithoneofanxiety。
Doeshe，honest？heasked。
Yes。Hehatesthemworsethananything。
Thecigarettestumpwashastilypickedupbyitsowner。
Where’llIputit？heasked，hurriedly。
Whydon’tyou——Oh，don’tputitinyourpocket！Itwillsetyouonfire。Putitinthestove，quick。
Intothestoveitwent，allbutitsfragrance，whichlingered。
DoyouthinkyouCOULDfindmethathook？askedthegirl。
I’lltry。_I_don’tknowanythingabouttheconfoundedthings。
Oh！innocently。Don’tyou？
No，ofcourseIdon’t。WhyshouldI？
Aren’tyouworkinghere？
Here？WorkHERE？ME？Well，I——should——say——NOT！
Oh，excuseme。Ithoughtyoumustbeanewbookkeeper，or——oranewpartner，orsomething。
Albertregardedherintentlyandsuspiciouslyforsomesecondsbeforemakinganotherremark。Shewasasdemurelygraveasever，buthissuspicionswereagainaroused。However，sheWASpretty，therecouldbenodoubtaboutthat。
MaybeIcanfindthehookforyou，hesaid。Icantry，anyway。
Oh，thankyoueversomuch，gratefully。It’sVERYkindofyoutotakesomuchtrouble。
Oh，airily，that’sallright。Comeon。perhapswecanfindittogether。
TheywerestilllookingwhenMr。Pricecamepantingin。
Whew！heobserved，withemphasis。Ifanybodytellsyouheavin’
bundlesoflathsaboardatruck-wagonain’thardworkyoutellhimformehe’saliar，willye。Whew！AndIhadtodotheheftofeverything，’causeCahoonsentthatone-armednephewofhistodrivetheteam。Ahealthylotofgoodaone-armedmanistohelpheavelumber！Isaystohim，saysI：’Whatintimedid——’Eh？
Why，hello，Helen！Goodmornin’。Landsakes！you’reoutairly，ain’tye？
Theyoungladynodded。Goodmorning，Issachar，shesaid。Yes，IamprettyearlyandI’minadreadfulhurry。Thewindblewourkitchendoorbackagainstthehouselastnightandbrokethehook。
IpromisedFatherIwouldrunoverhereandgethimanewoneandbringitbacktohimbeforeIwenttoschool。Andit’squartertoninenow。
Landsakes，so’tis！Ain’t——er——er——what’s-his-name——Alberthere，founditforyouyet？Heain’tnokindofahandtofindthings，ishe？We’llhavetolarnhimbetter’nthat。Yesindeed！
Albertlaughed，sarcastically。HewasabouttomakeasatisfyinglycrushingreprooftothispieceofimpertinencewhenMr。Pricebegantosnifftheair。
Whatintunket？hedemanded。Sn’f！Sn’f！Who’sbeensmokin’
inhere？Andcigarettes，too，bycrimus！Sn’f！Sn’f！Yes，sir，cigarettes，bycrimustee！Who’sbeensmokin’cigarettesinhere？
IfCap’nLoteknewanybody’dsmokedacigaretteinhereIdon’tknow’shewouldn’tkill’em。Whodoneit？
Albertshivered。Thegirlwiththedarkblueeyesflashedaquickglanceathim。Ithinkperhapssomeonewentbythewindowwhenitwasopenjustnow，shesuggested。Perhapstheyweresmokingandthesmokeblewin。
Eh？Well，maybeso。Musthavebeenamightyrankcigarettetosmellupthewholepremiseslikethisjustgoin’pastawindow。
Whew！Gosh！nowondertheysaythemthingsarerankpison。I’dsoonersmokeskunk-cabbagemyself。’twouldn’tsmellnoworseand’twouldbeadumsightsafer。Whew！……Well，Helen，there’saboutthekindofhookIcal’lateyouneed。Fifteencents’llletyououtonthat。Cheapenoughforhalfthemoney，eh？Givemyrespectstoyourpa，willye。TellhimthatsermonhepreachedlastSundaywasfine，butI’dlikeitbetterifhe’dlaiditontotheUniver’listsalittleharder。Folksthatdon’tbelieveinhelldon’tdeservenoconsideration，’cordin’tomynotion。Solong，Helen……Ohsay，headded，asanafterthought，IguessyouandAlbertain’tbeenintroduced，haveye？Albert，thisisHelenKendall，she’sourOrthodoxminister’sdaughter。Helen，thisyoungfellerisAlbert——er——er——Consarnit，I’veaskedCap’nLotethatnameadozentimesifIhaveonce！Whatisit，anyway？
Speranza，repliedtheownerofthename。
That’sit，Sperandy。ThisisAlbertSperandy，Cap’nLote’sgrandson。
AlbertandMissKendallshookhands。
Thanks，saidtheformer，gratefullyandsignificantly。
Theyoungladysmiled。
Oh，you’rewelcome，shesaid。Iknewwhoyouwereallthetime——
orIguessedwhoyoumustbe。Cap’nSnowtoldmeyouwerecoming。
Shewentout。Issachar，staringafterher，chuckledadmiringly。
SmartestgirlinTHIStown，heobserved，withemphasis。Headofherclassuptohighschoolandonlysixteenandthree-quartersatthat。
CaptainZelotescamebustlinginafewminuteslater。Hewenttohisdesk，payinglittleattentiontohisgrandson。Thelatterloiteredidlyupanddowntheofficeandhardwareshop，watchingIssacharwaitoncustomersorrushshoutingintotheyardtoattendtothewantsofothersthere。PlainlythiswasIssachar’sbusyday。
Crimus！heexclaimed，returningfromonesuchexcursionandmoppinghisforehead。Thisdoin’twomen’sworkain’tnofun。
EverytimeLabegoesonatimeseem’siftradewasbrisker’nit’sbeenforamonth。SeemsasifallcreationandpartofEastHarnisshadbeenhangin’backwaitin’tillhehadashadeon’foretheycometotrade。Makesafellerfeellikevotin’theProhibitionticket。IWOULDvoteit，bycrimustee，ifIthought’twoulddoanygood。’Twouldn’tthough。Labewouldtaketodrinkin’bayrumorFloridawaterorsomethin’，sameasHoppyRogersdonewhenhewasalive。JimYoungsayshewentintoHoppy’sbarber-shoponceandtherewasHoppywithabottleofanewkindofhair-tonicinhishand。’Drummerthatwashereleftitforasample，’saysHoppy。’Wantedmetotryitand，ifIlikedit，hecal’latedmaybeI’dbuysome。Idon’tthinkIshall，though，’hesays。’don’ttasterighttome。’Yes，sir，JimYoungswearsthat’strue。Wan’tenoughsnake-killerinthathairtonictosuitHoppy。
I——Yes，Cap’nLote，whatisit？Wantme，doye？
Butthecaptaindidnot，asithappened，wantMr。Priceatthattime。ItwasAlbertwhosenamehehadcalled。Theboywentintotheofficeandhisgrandfatherroseandshutthedoor。
Sitdown，Al，hesaid，motioningtowardachair。WhenhisgrandsonhadseatedhimselfCaptainZelotestiltedbackhisowndeskchairuponitsspringsandlookedathim。
Well，son，hesaid，afteramoment，whatdoyouthinkofit？
Thinkofit？Idon’tknowexactlywhat——
Oftheplacehere。Shop，yards，thewholebusiness。Z。SnowandCompany——whatdoyouthinkofit？
PrivatelyAlbertwasinclinedtoclassifytheentireoutfitasone-
horseandcountrified，buthedeemeditwisernottoexpressthisopinion。Sohecompromisedandrepliedthatitseemedtobeallright。
Hisgrandfathernodded。Thanks，heobserved，dryly。Gladyoufinditthatway。Well，then，changin’thesubjectforaminuteortwo，whatdoyouthinkaboutyourself？
Aboutmyself？Aboutme？Idon’tunderstand？
No，Idon’tsupposeyoudo。That’swhatIgotyouoverherethismornin’for，soaswecouldunderstand——youandme。Al，haveyougivenanythoughttowhatyou’regoin’todofromthison？Howyou’regoin’tolive？
Albertlookedathimuncomprehendingly。
HowI’mgoingtolive？herepeated。Why——why，Ithought——I
supposedIwasgoingtolivewithyou——withyouandGrandmother。
Um-hm，Isee。
Ijustkindoftookthatforgranted，Iguess。Yousentformetocomehere。Youtookmeawayfromschool，youknow。
Yes，soIdid。YouknowwhyItookyoufromschool？
No，I——IguessIDON’T，exactly。Ithought——Isupposeditwasbecauseyoudidn’twantmetogothereanymore。
’Twasn’tthat。Idon’tknowwhetherIwouldhavewantedyoutogothereornotifthingshadbeendifferent。FromwhatIhearitwasaprettyextravagantplace，andlookin’atitfromtheoutsidewithoutknowin’toomuchaboutit，Ishouldsayitwasliabletoputalotoffoolishandexpensivenotionsintoaboy’shead。I
maybewrong，ofcourse。Ihavebeenwrongatleastafewtimesinmylife。
Itwasevidentthatheconsideredthechancesofhisbeingwronginthisinstanceveryremote。Histoneagainarousedintheyouththefeelingofobstinacy，ofrebellion，ofdesiretotaketheotherside。
Itisoneofthebestschoolsinthiscountry，hedeclared。Myfathersaidso。
CaptainZelotespickedupapencilonhisdeskandtappedhischinlightlywiththebluntend。Um，hemused。Well，Ipresumelikelyheknewallaboutit。
Heknewasmuchas——mostpeople，withaslightbutsignificanthesitationbeforethemost。
Um-hm。Naturally，havin’beenschooledtherehimself，Isuppose。
Hewasn’tschooledthere。MyfatherwasaSpaniard。
SoI’veheard……Well，we’rekindofoffthesubject，ain’twe？Let’sleaveyourfather’snationalityoutofitforawhile。