Thefirewasinthebilliardsaloonsureenough，andthebackportionofthebuildingwasinablazewhentheyreachedit。
Ladderswereplacedagainsttheeaves，andalineofmenwithbucketswerepouringwaterontheroof。Thelineextendedtothetownpump，wheretwoenergeticyouthsintheirshirtsleeveswereworkingthehandlewithmightandmain。Thehousesnearathandwerebrilliantlyilluminated，andmenandwomenwerebringingwaterfromtheminbuckets，tinpails，washboilers，andevencoalscuttles。
Insidethesaloonanotherhustlingcrowdwasbusilyworkingto”save”Mr。Saunders’property。Adozenofthemembershadturnedthebiggestpooltableoveronitsbackandwereunscrewingthelegs，heedlessofthefactthattoattempttogetthetablethroughthefrontdoorwasanimpossibilityandthat，asthebackdoorwasinthethickestofthefire，it，too，wasoutofthequestion。A
manappearedattheopenfrontwindowofthesecondstorywithhisarmsfilledwithbottlesofvariousliquids，”originalpackages”
andothers。These，withfeverishenergy，hethrewonebyoneintothestreet，endangeringthelivesofeveryoneinrangeand，ofcourse，breakingeverybottlethrown。Someoneofthecoolerheadscallinghisattentiontothesefacts，heretiredandcarefullypackedalltheemptybottles，theonlyonesremaining，intoapeachbasketandtuggedthelatterdownstairsandtoasafeplaceonaneighboringpiazza。Thenherestedfromhislaborsasonewhohaddoneallthatmightreasonablybeexpected。
Mr。Saundershimself，lightlyattiredinanightshirttuckedintoapairoftrousers，wasrushinghereandthere，nowloudlydemandingmorewater，andthenstoppingtoswearatthebottle-throwerorsomeotherenthusiast。”Web’s”smoothnesswasallgone，andthelanguageheusedwas，asAbigailMullettsaidafterward，”enoughtobringdownajedgmentonanybody。”
CaptainEricaughthimbythesleeveashewasrunningpastandinquired，”How’ditstart，Web？””How’ditSTART？IknowmightywellHOWitstarted，and’foreI
gitthroughI’llknowWHOstartedit。Somebody’llpayforthis，nowyouhearme！Hurryupwiththewater，you——”
Hetorefranticallyawaytothepumpandthethreecaptainsjoinedthecrowdofvolunteerfiremen。CaptainEri，runningroundtothebackofthebuilding，tookinthesituationatonce。Backofthemainportionofthesaloonwasanell，anditwasinthisellthatthefirehadstarted。Theell，itself，wasinabrightblaze，butthelargerbuildinginfrontwasonlyjustbeginningtoburn。TheCaptainclimbedoneoftheladderstotheroofandcalledtothemenatworkthere。”Thatshed’sgone，Ben，”hesaid。”Chuckyourwateronthemainparthere。Maybe，ifwehadsomeropeswemightbeabletopulltheshedclear，andthenwecouldsavetherest。””How’dyoufastentheropes？”wasthepantedreply。”She’sallablaze，andaropewouldburnthroughinaminuteifyoutieditanywheres。””GitsomegrapplesandanchorsoutofRogers’shop。He’sgotawholelotof’em。Keeponwiththewaterbus’ness。I’llgittheotherstuff。”
Hedescendedtheladderandexplainedhisideatothecrowdbelow。
Therewasagreatshoutandtwentymenandboysstartedonarunafterropes，whileasmanymorestormedatthedoorofNathanielRogers’blacksmithshop。Rogerswasthelocaldealerinanchorsandothermarineironwork。Thedooroftheshopwaslockedandtherewasayellforaxestoburstitopen。
Thenaroseanagonizedshriekof”Don’tchop！don’tchop！”andMr。
Rogershimselfcamestrugglingtothedefenseofhisproperty。Inconcerttheinstantneedwasexplainedtohim，butheremainedunconvinced。”Wecan’tstayherearguin’allnight！”roaredoneoftheleaders。”He’sgottoletusin。Goaheadandchop！I’llholdhim。””Igiveyoufairwarnin’，SquealerWixon！Ifyouchopthatdoor，I’llhavethelawontoyou。Ijusthadthatdoorpainted，and——
STOP！I’vegotthekeyinmypocket！”
Itwasplainthatthemajoritywerestillinfavorofchopping，asaffordingabetteroutletforsurplusenergy，buttheywaitedwhileMr。Rogers，stillprotesting，producedthekeyandunlockedthedoor。Inanotherminutethegreaterportionoftheironworkintheestablishmentwasonitswaytothefire。
Therope-seekerswerejustreturning，ladenwitheverythingfromclothes-linestocables。Halfadozenboatanchorsandagrapnelwerefastenedtoasmanyropes，andthecrowdprancedgaylyabouttheburningell，lookingforachancetomakethemfast。CaptainErifoundapartywithaxesendeavoringtocutaholethroughthesideofthesalooninordertogetoutthepooltable。Aftersomeendeavorhepersuadedthemtodesistandtheycamearoundtotherearand，takingturns，raninclosetotheshedandchoppedatituntilthefiredrovethemaway。Atlasttheymadeaholeclosetowhereitjoinedthemainbuilding，largeenoughtoattachthegrapnel。Then，witha”Yoheaveho！”everyonetookholdoftheropeandpulled。Ofcoursethegrapnelpulledoutwithonlyaboardortwo，buttheytriedagain，and，thistimegettingitaroundabeam，pulledalargeportionoftheshedtotheground。
Meanwhile，anotheraxpartyhadattachedananchortotheoppositeside，andweremakinggoodprogress。Induetimetheshedyawnedawayfromthesaloon，tottered，andcollapsedinashowerofsparks。Adelugeofwatersoonextinguishedthese。Theneveryoneturnedtothemainbuilding，and，asthefirehadnotyettakenafirmholdofthis，theysoonhaditundercontrol。
CaptainEriworkedwiththerestuntilhesawthattheworstwasover。Thenhebeganthesearchthathadbeeninhismindsincehefirstsawtheblaze。HefoundCaptainJerryandCaptainPerezperspiringlypassingbucketsofwaterfromhandtohandintheline，and，callingthemtooneside，askedanxiously:”HaveeitherofyoufellersseenJohnBaxtertonight？”
CaptainPerezlookedsurprised，andthensomeofthetroublediscernibleinEri’sfacewasapparentinhisown。”Why，no，”herepliedslowly，”Iain’tseenhim，nowyouspeakofit。Everybodyintown’shere，too。Queer，ain’tit？”Haven’tyouseenhim，either，Jerry？”
CaptainJerryansweredwithashakeofthehead。”Butthen，”hesaid，”Perezandmehavebeenrightherebythepumpeversencewecome。Hemightbe’mostanywhereselse，andwewouldn’tseehim。
Wantmetoasksomeoftheotherfellers？””No！”exclaimedhisfriend，almostfiercely。”Don’tyoumentionhisnametoasoul，norlet’emknowyou’vethoughtofhim。Ifanybodyshouldask，tell’emyouguesshe’srightaroundsomewheres。Youtwogittoworkag’in。I’llletyouknowifI
wantyou。”
Thepairtookuptheirbuckets，andtheCaptainwalkedonfromgrouptogroup，lookingcarefullyateachperson。TheReverendPerleyandsomeofhisflockwerestandingbythemselvesonaneighboringstoop，andtothemthesearcherturnedeagerly。”Why，Cap’nEri！”exclaimedMissBusteed，thefirsttoidentifyhim，”howyou’veworked！Youmustbetiredprettynightodeath。
Ain’titawful！Butit’stheLord’sdoin’s；I’mjestassureofthatasIcanbe，andIsayssotoMr。Perley。Didn’tI，Mr。
Perley？Isays——””Lookin’foranybody，Cap’n？”interruptedthereverendgentleman。”No，”liedtheCaptaincalmly，”jestwalkin’aroundtogitcooledoffalittle。Good-night。”
Therewasthemostlikelyplace，andJohnBaxterwasnotthere。
CertainlyeverycitizeninOrham，whowasabletocrawl，wouldbeoutthisnight，andiftheoldpuritanhermitofthebighousewasnotpresenttoexultoverthedownfallofthewicked，itwouldbebecausehewasillorbecause——TheCaptaindidn’tliketothinkoftheotherreason。
Mrs。”Web”Saunders，quietlyweeping，wasseatedonaknollnearthepump。ThreeoftheSaunders’hopefuls，alsoweeping，butnotquietly，wereseatedbesideher。Another，theyoungestofthefamily，wasbeingrockedsoothinglyinthearmsofastoutfemale，whowassingingtoitasplacidlyasthoughfireswereaneveryday，ornight，occurrence。TheCaptainpeereddown，andthestoutwomanlookedup。”Why，Mrs。Snow！”exclaimedCaptainEri。
TheladyfromNantucketmadenoimmediatereply。Sherose，however，shookdowntheblack”alpaca”skirt，whichhadbeenfoldeduptokeepitoutofthedew，and，stillhummingsoftlytothechild，walkedoffalittleway，motioningwithherheadfortheCaptaintofollow。WhenshehadreachedaspotsufficientlyremotefromMrs。Saunders，shewhispered:”Howd’yedo，Cap’nHedge？Iguessthewustisovernow，isn’tit？
Isawyouworkin’withthemropes；youmustbeawfultired。””Howlonghaveyoubeenhere？”askedtheCaptainsomewhatastonishedathercalmness。”Oh，IcomerightdownassoonasIheardthebell。I’mkindofusedtofires。Myhusband’sschoonergotafiretwicewhileIwaswithhim。Heusedtorunacoalvessel，youknow。Igotrightupandpackedmybag，’causeIdidn’tknowhowthefiremightspread。
Younevercantellinatownlikethis。Ssh’h，dearie，”tothebaby，”there，there，it’sallright。Laystill。””How’dyougitacquaintedwithher？”noddingtowardthewifeoftheproprietorofthescorchedsaloon。”Oh，Iseethepoorthingsettin’therewithallthemchildrenandnobodypayingmuchattentiontoher，soIwentoverandaskedifI
couldn’thelpout。Ihaven’tgotanychildrenofmyown，butIwasnumberthreeinafam’lyoffourteen，soIknowhowit’sdone。Oh！
thathusbandofhers！He’saniceone，heis！Wouldyoub’lieveit，hecomealongandshespoketohim，andhesworeathersomethin’dreadful。That’swhyshe’scryin’。Poorcritter，I
guessbythelooksshe’susedtoit。Well，IgiveHIMapieceofmymind。Hewentawaywithafleainhisear。Idodespiseaprofanemanaboveallthings。Yes，thebaby’sallright，Mrs。
Saunders。I’ma-comin’。Good-night，Cap’nHedge。Is’poseI
shallseeyouallinthemornin’。Yououghttobecarefulandnotstandstillmuchthisdampnight。It’sbadwhenyou’rehetupso。”
Shewentback，stillsingingtothebaby，towhereMrs。Saunderssat，andtheCaptainlookedafterherinakindofamazedfashion。”Bymighty！”hemuttered，andthenrepeatedit。Thenheresumedhissearch。
Herememberedthattherehadbeenanumberofpeopleonthesideoftheburningshedoppositethatonwhichhehadbeenemployed，andhedeterminedtohaveonelooktherebeforegoingtotheBaxterhomestead。AlmostthefirstmanhesawasheapproachedthedyingfirewasRalphHazeltine。Theelectrician’shandsandfacewereblackenedbysoot，andtheperspirationsparkledonhisforehead。”Hello，Captain！”hesaid，holdingouthishand。”Livelyforawhile，wasn’tit？Theytellmeyouwerethemanwhosuggestedpullingdowntheshed。Itsavedtheday，allrightenough。””Youlookasifyou’dbeenworkin’someyourself。Wasyouoneofthefellersthatgotthatanchorinonthisside？””HewasTHEone，”brokeinMr。Wingate，whowasstandingatHazeltine’selbow。”HewadedinwithanaxandstayedtheretillI
thoughthe’dburnthehairoffhishead。Weboughttopayyouandhimsalvage，Eri。Thewholecraftwouldhavegoneupifithadn’tbeenforyoutwo。””Iwonderiftheygotthatpooltableout，”laughedRalph。”Theydideverythingbutsawitintochunks。””IneversawBlueyBacheldorworksoafore，”commentedtheCaptain。”Iwishsomebody’dtookaphotographofhim。I’llbetyoucouldsell’emroundtownforcuriosities。Well，Ican’tbestandin’
here。””Ifyou’regoinghomeI’llgoalongwithyou。Imayaswellbegettingdowntowardthestation。Theexcitementisaboutover。””Iain’tgoin’righthome，Mr。Hazeltine。I’vegotanerrandtodo。Prob’lyI’llbegoin’prettysoon，though。””Oh，allright！I’llwaithereawhilelongerthen。Seeyoulaterperhaps。”
ThefoghadliftedsomewhatandastheCaptain，runningsilently，turnedintothe”shoreroad，”hesawthatthelightintheBaxterhomesteadhadnotbeenextinguished。Theschoolhousebellhadceasedtoring，andtheshoutsofthecrowdatthefiresoundedfaintly。Therewerenoothersounds。
UpthedrivewayCaptainErihurried。Therewerenolightsinthelowerpartofthehouseandthedining-roomdoorwaslocked。Thekitchendoor，however，wasnotfastenedandtheCaptainopeneditandentered。Shuttingitcarefullybehindhim，hegropedalongtotheentranceofthenextroom。”John！”hecalledsoftly。Therewasnoanswer，andthehousewasperfectlystillsaveforthetickingofthebigclock。CaptainEriscratchedamatchandbyitslightclimbedthestairs。Hisfriend’sroomwasempty。ThelampwasburningonthebureauandaBiblewasopenbesideit。Thebedhadnotbeensleptin。
Thoroughlyalarmednow，theCaptain，lampinhand，wentthroughoneroomaftertheother。JohnBaxterwasnotathome，andhewasnotwiththecrowdatthefire。Wherewashe？Therewas，ofcourse，achancethathisfriendhadpassedhimonthewayorthathehadbeenatthefire，afterall，butthisdidnotseempossible。
However，therewasnothingtodobutgoback，andthistimetheCaptaintookthepathacrossthefields。
TheBaxterhousewasonthe”shoreroad，”andthebilliardroomandpost-officewereonthe”mainroad。”PeopleinahurrysometimesavoidedthecornerbyclimbingthefenceoppositetheBaxtergate，goingthroughtheDawes’pastureandoverthelittlehillbackoftheliverystable，andcomingoutintherearofthepost-officeandclosetothesaloon。
CaptainEri，worried，afraidtothinkofthefireanditscause，andonlyanxioustoascertainwherehisfriendwasandwhathehadbeendoingthatnight，trottedthroughthepastureandoverthehill。Justashecametothebayberrybushesontheothersidehestumbledandfellflat。
Heknewwhatitwasthathehadstumbledoverthemomentthathefellacrossit，andhisfingerstrembled，sothathecouldscarcelyscratchthematchthathetookfromhispocket。Butitwaslightedatlastand，asitstinyblazegrewbrighter，theCaptainsawJohnBaxterlyingfacedownwardinthepath，hisheadpointedtowardhishomeandhisfeettowardthebilliardsaloon。
CHAPTERVII
CAPTAINERIFINDSANURSE
Forasecond，only，CaptainEristoodtheremotionless，stoopingoverthebodyofhisfriend。Thenhesprangintovigorousaction。
Hedroppeduponhiskneesand，seizingtheshoulderoftheprostratefigure，shookitgently，whispering，”John！John！”
Therewasnoanswerandnoresponsivemovement，andtheCaptainbenthisheadandlistened。Breathwasthereandlife；but，oh，solittleofeither！Thenextthoughtwas，ofcourse，torunforhelpandforadoctor，buthetookbutafewstepswhenanewideastruckhimandhecameback。
Lightinganothermatchheexaminedthefallenmanhurriedly。Theold”Come-Outer”layinthepathwithhisarmsoutstretched，asifhehadfallenwhilerunning。Hewasbare-headed，andtherewasnosignofawounduponhim。Onecoat-sleevewasbadlyscorched，andfromapocketinthecoatprotrudedtheneckofabottle。Thebottlewasempty，butitsodorwasstrong；ithadcontainedkerosene。Theevidencewasclear，andtheCaptainknewthatwhathehadfearedwasthetruth。
Foramomenthestooderectandponderedastowhatwasbesttodo。
Whateveritwas，itmustbedonequickly，butifthedoctorandthosethatmightcomewithhimshouldfindtheburnedcoatandthetell-talebottle，itwerebetterforJohnBaxterthatconsciousnessandlifeneverwerehisagain。Theremight，andprobablywould，besuspicion；butherewasproofabsolutethatmeantprisonanddisgraceforamanwhomallthecommunityhadhonoredandrespected。
CaptainEriweighedthechances，speculatedontheresult，andthendidwhatseemedtohimright。Hethrewthebottleasfarawayfromthepathashecouldandthenstrippedoffthecoat，and，foldingitintoasmallbundle，hiditinthebushesnearby。Thenheliftedthelimpbody，andturneditsothatthegrayheadwastowardthebilliardsalooninsteadoffromit。
PerezandJerrywerestillbusywiththewaterbucketswhentheirfriendcamepantinguptheknolltothepump。”Hello，Eri！”saidtheformer，wipinghisforeheadwithhisarm。”It’s’boutout，ain’tit？Why，what’sthematter？””Nothin’；nothin’tospeakof。Putdownthembuckets，andyouandJerrycomewithme。I’vegotsomethin’thatIwantyoutodo。”
Noddingandexchangingcongratulationswithacquaintancesinthecrowdonthesuccessofthefire-fighting，CaptainEriledhismessmatestoadarkcornerunderaclumpoftrees。Thenhetookeachofthembythearmandwhisperedsharply:”Dr。Palmer’ssomewheresinthiscrowd。Iwanteachofyoufellerstogodiff’rentwaysandlookforhim。Whicheveronefindshimfustcanbringhimuptothecornerbythepost-office。Whistlewhenyougitthereandtherestofus’llcome。Don’tstoptoaskquestions。Iain’thurt，butJohnBaxter’shadastrokeorsomethin’。Ican’ttellyounomorenow。Hurry！Andsay，don’tyoumentiontoasoulwhatthematteris。”
Asea-faringlifehasitsadvantages。Itteachespromptobedience，foronething。Thetwomarinersdidnothesitateaninstant，butboltedinoppositedirections。CaptainEriwatchedthemgo，andthensetoffinanother。Hewasstoppedeveryfewmomentsandallsortsofquestionsandcommentsconcerningthefireanditscausewerefiredathim，butheputoffsomeinquirieswithacurt”Don’tknow”andotherswithnodsornegatives，andthreadedhiswayfromoneclumpoftownspeopletoanother。Ashecameclosetotheblackenedandsmokingbilliardsaloon，RalphHazeltinecaughthimbythearm。”Hello！”saidtheelectrician。”Haven’tyougonehomeyet？””No，notyit。Say，I’llaskyou，’causeIcal’lateyoucankeepyourmouthshutifit’snecessary:HaveyouseentheDoctoranywheres’roundlately？Hewashere，’causeIsawhimwhenIfustcome。””Who，Dr。Palmer？No；Ihaven’tseenhim。Isanyonehurt？CanI
help？””Iguessnot。JohnBaxter’ssick，but——oh，Lord！HerecomesWingate。He’lltalkforaweek。”
Seth，pantingandexcited，waspushinghiswaytowardthem，shoutingtheCaptain’snameatthetopofhisvoice。”Hey，Eri！”hehailed。”Iwanttoknowifyou’llsignapetitiontogitthetownafireingyne？I’vebeentalkin’toacoupleofthes’lectmenandthey——””Oh，Mr。Wingate，”interruptedRalph，”Mr。Mullett’sbeenlookingforyou。He’sovertherebythepump，Ithink。””Who，LemMullett？Isthatso！He’sjestthefellerIwanttosee。Seeyoulater，Eri。”
TheCaptaingrinnedappreciativelyastheconverttothehand-
engineproposaldisappeared。”Thatwasn’tsobad，”hesaid。”I’mmuchobliged。Hey！There’sthewhistle。Comeon，Mr。Hazeltine，ifyouain’tinaspecialhurry。MaybeweWILLneedyou。”
Theyreachedthecornerbythepost-officetofindDr。Palmer，whohadpracticedmedicineinOrhamsincehereceivedhisdiploma，waitingforthem。CaptainPerez，whohaddiscoveredthephysicianontheNickersonpiazza，wasstandingclosebywithhisfingersinhismouth，whistlingwiththeregularityofafoghorn。”Cutitshort，Perez！”commandedEri。”We’reherenow。””Yes，butJerryain’t。”Andthewhistlingbeganagain。”Dryup，fortheland’ssake！D’youwanttofetchthewholetribehere？There’sJerry，now。Comeon，Doctor。”
JohnBaxterwaslyingjustastheCaptainhadlefthim，andtheotherswatchedanxiouslyasthedoctorlistenedatthepartedlips，andthrusthishandinsidethefadedbluewaistcoat。”He’salive，”hesaidafteramoment，”butunconscious。Wemustgethimhomeatonce。””Heheardthebellandwasrunnin’tothefirewhenhewastook，”
saidCaptainJerry。”Runoutinhisshirtsleeves，andwastookwhenhegotasfurashere。””That’sthewayIfiggerit，”saidEriunblushingly。”Lifthimcarefully，youfellers。Nowthen！””Iwarnedhimagainstover-exertionorexcitementmonthsago，”saidtheDoctor，astheyborethesenselessburdentowardthebighouse，nowasblackasthegravethatwassonearitsowner。”Wemustfindsomeonetotakecareofhimatonce。Idon’tbelievetheoldmanhasarelationwithinahundredmiles。””Whydon’twetakehimtoourhouse？”suggestedCaptainJerry。”’Twouldn’tseemsoplagueylonesome，anyhow。””Bymighty！”ejaculatedCaptainEriinastonishment。”Well，Jerry，I’llbeswitchedifyouain’trightdownbrilliantonceinawhile。
Ofcoursewewill。Hecanhavethespareroom。Whydidn’tIthinkofthat，Iwonder？”
AndsoJohnBaxter，whohadnotpaidavisitinhisnativevillagesincehiswifedied，cameatlasttohisfriend’shometopaywhatseemedlikelytobeafinalone。Theycarriedhimupthestairstothespareroom，asdismalandcheerlessasspareroomsinthecountrygenerallyare，undressedhimastenderlyastheirroughhandswouldallow，robedhiminoneofCaptainJerry’snightshirts——
thebuttonsthatfastenedithadbeensewedonbytheCaptainhimself，andwereallsizesandcolors——andlaidhiminthebigcordedbedstead。TheDoctorhastenedawaytoprocurehismedicinecase。RalphHazeltine，havingbeenprofuselythankedforhisservicesandpromisingtocallthenextday，wentbacktothestation，andthethreecaptainssatdownbythebedsidetowatchandwait。
CaptainEriwastoomuchperturbedtotalk，buttheothertwo，althoughsympatheticallysorryforthesufferer，wereburstingwithexcitementandcuriosity。”Well，ifTHISain’tbeenanight！”exclaimedCaptainJerry。”Seem’sifeverythinghappenedatonce。Fustthatdarkyandthenthefireandthenthis。Don’titbeatall？”Eri，”saidCaptainPerezanxiously，”wasJohnlayin’jestthesamewaywhenyoufoundhimashewaswhenwecome？””Rightinthesameplace，”wastheanswer。”Ididn’tsayinthesameplace。Iaskedifhewaslayin’thesameway。””Hehadn’tmovedamuscle。Laidjestasifhewasdead。”
ItwillbenoticedthatCaptainEriwasadheringstrictlytothetruth。Luckily，Perezseemedtobesatisfied，forheaskednofurtherquestions，butobserved，”It’sagoodthingwe’vegotacrowdtoswearhowwefoundhim。There’saheapoffolksinthistownwouldbesayin’hesetthatfireif’twa’n’tforthat。””Someof’emwillbesayin’itanyhow，”remarkedJerry。”Somefolks’llsayanythingbuttheirprayers，”snappedErisavagely。”Theywon’tsayitwhileI’maround。Andlookhere！ifyouhearanybodysayin’it，youtell’emit’salie。Ifthatdon’tkeep’emquiet，letmeknow。””Oh，allright。WEknowhedidn’tsetit。Iwasjestsayin’——””Well，don’tsayit。””My，you’retechy！Guessfiresandcoloredfolksdon’tagreewithyou。Whatarewegoin’todonow？IfJohndon’tdie，andtheLordknowsIhopehewon’t，he’slikelytobesickherealongspell。
Whoarewegoin’togittotakecareofhim？That’swhatIwanttoknow。Somebody’sgottodoitandweain’tfit。IfJerry’donlygiveinandgitmarriednow——”
ButCaptainJerry’sprotestagainstmatrimonywasasobstinateasever。EvenPerezgaveupurgingafterawhileandconversationlaggedagain。InafewminutestheDoctorcameback，andhisexaminationofthepatientanddemandsforglassesofwater，teaspoons，andthelike，keptPerezandJerrybusy。ItwassometimebeforetheynoticedthatCaptainErihaddisappeared。Eventhentheydidnotpaymuchattentiontothecircumstance，butwatchedthephysicianatworkandquestionedhimconcerningthenatureoftheirguest’sillness。”D’youthinkhe’lldie，Doctor？”inquiredJerryinahushedvoice，astheycameoutofthesickroomintotheconnectingchamber。”Can’tsay。Hehashadastrokeofparalysis，andthereseemtobeothercomplications。IfheregainsconsciousnessIshallthinkhehasachance，butnotaverygoodone。Hispulseisalittlestronger。Idon’tthinkhe’lldieto-night，butifheliveshewillneedagoodnurse，andIdon’tknowofoneintown。””Normeneither，”saidCaptainPerez。”Well，A’ntZubymightcome，”suggestedJerry，”butIshouldhatetohavehernussme，andasforbein’WELLinahousewhereshewas——whew！””A’ntZuby！”sneeredhismessmate。”IfLorenzohadafitandtheycalledA’ntZubyhe’dhaveanotheroneanddie。A’ntZuby！I’d’boutassoonhaveM’lissyandbedonewithit。””Yes，Idon’tdoubtYOUWOULD，”wastheanythingbutgentleretort。
WhatPerezwouldhavesaidtothisthrustmustbesurmised，forjustthenthedining-roomdooropenedandclosedagain。”There’sEri，”saidCaptainJerry。Thenheaddedinanalarmedwhisper，”Whoonairthhashegotwithhim？”
Theyheardtheirfriend’svoicewarningsomeonetobecarefulofthetopstep，andthenthechamberdooropenedandCaptainEriappeared。Therewerebeadsofperspirationonhisforehead，andhewascarryingashabbycanvasextension-case。CaptainJerrygazedattheextension-casewithbulgingeyes。
CaptainEriputdowntheextension-caseandopenedthedoorwide。
Awomancamein；astoutwomandressedinblack”alpaca”andwearingbrass-rimmedspectacles。CaptainJerrygaspedaudibly。”Dr。Palmer，”saidCaptainEri，”letmemakeyouacquaintedwithMrs。SnowofNantucket。Mrs。Snow，thisisDr。Palmer。”
TheDoctorandtheladyfromNantucketshookhands，theformerwithapuzzledexpressiononhisface。”Perez，”continuedtheCaptain，”letmemakeyouknowntoMrs。
Snow——Mrs。MarthyB。Snow，”——thiswithespecialemphasis，——”ofNantucket。Mrs。Snow，thisisCap’nPerezRyder。”
Theyshookhands；CaptainPerezmanagedtosaythathewasgladtomeetMrs。Snow。CaptainJerrysaidnothing，buthelookedlikeacriminalawaitingthefallofthedrop。”Doctor，”continuedtheCaptain，payingnoattentiontothesignalsofdistressdisplayedbyhisfriend，”IheardyousayaspellagothatJohnhereneededsomebodytotakecareofhim。Well，Mrs。
Snow——she’sa——a——sortofrelationofJerry’s”——justasuspicionofasmileaccompaniedthisassertion——”andshe’sdoneconsid’rablenussin’inhertime。I’vebeentalkin’thethingoverwithherandshe’swillin’tolookoutforJohntillhegitsbetter。”
Thephysicianadjustedhiseyeglassesandlookedthevolunteernurseoverkeenly。Theladypaidnoattentiontothescrutiny，butcalmlyremovedherbonnetandplaceditonthebureau。TheroomwasCaptainEri’s，andthegeneraldisarrangementofeverythingmovablewasonlyalittlelessmarkedthaninthoseofhiscompanions。Mrs。Snowglancedovertheheapofoddsandendsonthebureauandpickedupacomb。Thereweresometeethinit，buttheyweredistantneighbors。”Idon’tusethatcombverymuch，”saidCaptainEriratherapologetically。”Igin’rallyusetheonedownstairs。”
Thenew-foundrelativeofCaptainJerrysaidnothing，but，layingdowntheruin，marchedovertotheextension-case，openedit，andtookoutanothercomb——awholeone。Withthisshearrangedthehaironherforehead。It，thehair，waspartedinthemiddleanddrawnbacksmoothlyatthesides，andCaptainErinoticedthatitwasbrownwithalittlegrayinit。Whenthelaststraywispwasinplace，sheturnedcalmlytotheDoctorandsaid:”Cap’nBaxter’sinhere，Is’pose。ShallIwalkrightin？”
Themanofmedicineseemedalittlesurprisedatthelady’scommandofthesituation，buthesaid:”Why，yes，ma’am；Iguessyoumay。Youhavenursedbefore，IthinktheCaptainsaid。””Fiveyearswithmyhusband。Hehadslowconsumption。Beforethatwithmymother，andmostofmybrothersandsistersatonetimeoranother。I’veseenconsid’rablesicknessallmylife。Moreofthatthananythingelse，Iguess。Now，ifyou’llcomeinwithme，so’stotellmeaboutthemedicineandsoon。”
Withashort”Humph！”thephysicianfollowedherintothesickroom，whilethethreemarinersgazedwide-eyedinatthedoor。
Theywatched，asDoctorPalmerexplainedmedicinesandgavedirections。Itdidnotneedanexperttoseethatthenewnurseunderstoodherbusiness。
WhentheDoctorcameouthisfaceshonewithgratification。”She’lldo，”hesaidemphatically。”Ifallyourrelativesarelikethat，Cap’nBurgess，I’dliketoknow’em；’twouldhelpmeinmybusiness。”Thenheaddedinresponsetoaquestion，”Heseemstobealittlebetterjustnow。Ithinktherewillbenochangeforawhile；ifthereshouldbe，sendforme。I’llcallinthemorning。
Gracious！it’salmostdaylightnow。”
Theysawhimtothedoorandthencamebackupstairs。Mrs。Snowwasbusy，arrangingthepillows，settingtheroominsomethinglikeorder，andcaringforherpatient’sgarments，thathadbeentossedhelter-skelteronthefloorinthehurryofundressing。ShecametothedoorastheyenteredCaptainEri’schamber。”Mrs。Snow，”saidtheCaptain，”you’dbettersleepinmyroomherelong’syoustay。I’llbunkinwithPerezdownstairs。I’llgitmydunnageoutofhererightoff。Ithinklikelyyou’llwanttocleanupsome。”
TheladyfromNantucketglancedatthebureautopandseemedabouttosaysomething，butcheckedherself。Whatshedidsaywas:”P’rapsyou’dbetterintroducemetoCap’nBurgess。Idon’tthinkwe’veevermet，ifweARErelations。”
CaptainEriactuallyblushedalittle。”Why，ofcourse，”hesaid。”Excuseme，ma’am。Jerry，thisisMrs。Snow。Idon’tknowwhat’sgotintome，bein’socareless。”
Thesacrificeshookthenurse’shandandsaidsomething，nobodyknewexactlywhat。Mrs。Snowwentontosay，”Now，Iwantyoumentogorightontobed，forIknowyou’realltuckeredout。Wecantalkto-morrow——Imeanto-day，ofcourse:Iforgot’twasnext-doortodaylightnow。IshallsetupwithCap’nBaxter，andifIneedyouI’llcallyou。I’llcallyouanywaywhenIthinkit’stime。
Good-night。”
Theyprotested，ofcourse，buttheladywouldnotlisten。Shecalmlyseatedherselfintherockerbythebedandwavedtothemtogo，whichtwoofthemreluctantlydidafterawhile。Theotheronehadgonealready。Itwouldbesuperfluoustomentionhisname。
DownstairsagainandinPerez’roomCaptainEricameinforaquestioningthatbadefairtokeepupforever。Heshutoffallinquiries，however，withtheannouncementthathewouldn’ttellthemawordaboutittillhe’dhadsomesleep。Thenhewouldexplainthewholething，andtheycoulddecidewhetherhehaddonerightornot。Therewereallsortsofthingstobeconsidered，hesaid，andtheyhadbettertakeanapnowwhiletheycould。”Well，I’djestliketoaskyouthis，EriHedge，”demandedCaptainJerry。”WhatintimedidyoutelltheDoctorthatshewasarelationofminefor？Thatwasanicethingtodo，wa’n’tit？
I’llhavetoanswermorefoolquestions’boutthatthanalittle。
WhatsortofarelationshallItellfolkssheis？Jesttellmethat，willyou？””Oh，tell’emshe’sarelationbymarriage，”wastheanswer，muffledbythebedclothes。”Maybethat’llbetruebythetimetheyaskyou。””I’llBETitwon’t！”snortedtherebel。
CaptainPerezfellasleepalmostimmediately。CaptainJerry，tiredout，didthesame，butCaptainEri’seyesdidnotclose。Thesurfpoundedandgrumbled。Arooster，earlyastir，crowedsomewhereinthedistance。Danielthumpedthesideofhisstallandthensubsidedforanothernap。Thegraymorninglightbrightenedthewindowofthelittlehouse。
ThenCaptainErislidsilentlyoutofbed，dressedwithelaborateprecautionsagainstnoise，putonhiscap，andtiptoedoutofthehouse。Hewalkedthroughthedrippinggrass，climbedthebackfenceandhurriedtothehillwhereJohnBaxterhadfallen。Oncethere，helookedcarefullyaroundtobesurethatnoonewaswatching。Orham，asarule，isanearlyriser，butthismorningmostoftheinhabitants，havingbeenupforthegreaterpartofthenight，weremakinguplostsleepandtheCaptainwasabsolutelyalone。
Assuredofthis，heturnedtothebushunderneathwhichhehadhiddentheburnedcoat，pushedasidethedrenchedboughswiththeirfadingleavesandreacheddownforthetell-talegarment。
Andthenhemadeanunpleasantdiscovery。Thecoatwasgone。
Hespentanagitatedquarterofanhourhuntingthrougheveryclumpofbushesintheimmediatevicinity，buttherewasnodoubtofit。
Someonehadbeentherebeforehimandhadtakenthecoataway。
CHAPTERVIII
HOUSEKEEPERANDBOOKAGENT
TherewasaknockonthedoorofCaptainPerez’ssleepingapartment。”Cap’nHedge，”saidMrs。Snow，”Cap’nHedge！I’msorrytowakeyouup，butit’s’mostteno’clockand——””What？Teno’clock！Godfreyscissors！Ofallthelazy——I’llbeoutinajiffy。Perez，turnoutthere！Turnout，Itellyou！”
CaptainErihadfallenasleepintherockerwherehehadseatedhimselfuponhisreturnfromthefruitlesssearchforthecoat。
Hehadhadnointentionofsleeping，buthewastiredafterhisstrenuousworkatthefire，andhaddroppedoffinthemidstofhisworry。Hesprangtohisfeet，andtriedtoseparatedreamsfromrealities。”Landoflove，Perez！”heejaculated。”Hereyouandmehavebeensleepin’ha’ftheforenoon。We’doughttobeashamedofourselves。
Let’sgitdressedquicker’nchainlightnin’。””Dressed？”queriedPerez，sittingupinbed。”Ishouldthinkyouwasdressednow，bootsandall。Whatareyoutalkin’’bout？”
TheCaptainglanceddownathisclothesandseemedasmuchsurprisedashisfriend。Hemanagedtopullhimselftogether，however，andstammered:”Dressed？Oh，I’mdressed，ofcourse。It’syouI’mtryin’togitsomelifeinto。””Well，whydidn’tyoucallafeller，’steadofgittin’upanddressin’allbyyourself。Ineverseesuchacritter。Where’smysocks？”
ToavoidfurtherperplexingquestionsCaptainEriwentintothediningroom。Thetablewasset，reallyset，withacleanclothanddishesthatshone。Theknivesandforkswerearrangedbytheplates，notpiledinaheapforeachmantohelphimself。TheCaptaingasped。”Well，Iswantoman！”hesaid。”HasJerryhadafitorwhat’sstruckhim？Iain’tseenhimdoanythinglikethisforIdon’tknowwhen。””Oh，Cap’nBurgessdidn’tfixthetable，ifthat’swhatyoumean，”
saidthenewnurse。”Cap’nBaxterseemedtobesleepin’orinastuporlike，andtheDoctor，whenhecome，saidImightleavehimlongenoughtorundownstairsforafewminutes，so——””TheDoctor？HastheDoctorbeenherethismornin’？””Yes，hecome’boutanhourago。Now，ifyouwouldn’tmindgoin’
upandstayin’withCap’nBaxterforafewminuteswhileIfinishgettin’breakfast。I’vebeenupanddownsomanytimesinthelastha’fhour，Idon’tknow’sI’msartinwhetherI’monmyheadormyheels。”
TheCaptainwentupstairsinadazedstate。Ashepassedthroughwhathadbeenhisroomhevaguelynoticedthatthebureautopwasclean，andthatmostoftherubbishthathadornamentedithaddisappeared。
Thesickmanlayjustashehadlefthim，hiswhitefaceascolorlessasthecleanpillowcaseagainstwhichitrested。
CaptainErirememberedthatthepillowcasesinthespareroomhadlookedalittleyellowthenightbefore，possiblyowingtothefactthat，astheroomhadnotbeenoccupiedformonths，theyhadnotbeenchanged。HereasonedthattheimprovementwasanotheroneofthereformsinstitutedbytheladyfromNantucket。
Hesatdownintherockerbythebedandthought，withashiver，ofthemissingcoat。Therewereninechancesoutoftenthatwhoeverfounditwouldrecognizeitasbelongingtotheold”Come-Outer。”
Thecontentsofthepocketwouldbealmostcertaintorevealthesecretifthecoatitselfdidnot。Itremainedtobeseenwhothefinderwasandwhathewoulddo。Meanwhiletherewasnouseworrying。HavingcometothisconclusiontheCaptain，withcustomaryphilosophy，resolvedtothinkofsomethingelse。
Mrs。Snowenteredandannouncedthatbreakfastwasreadyandthathemustgodownatonceandeatitwhileitwashot。She，havingbreakfastedsometimebefore，wouldstaywiththepatientuntilthemealwasover。CaptainEriatfirstflatlydeclinedtolistentoanysucharrangement，butthecalminsistenceoftheNantucketvisitorprevailedasusual。TheCaptainrealizedthatthecapacityfor”bossin’things，”thathehaddiscernedintheletter，wasevenmoreapparentintheladyherself。Onethinghedidinsistupon，however，andthiswasthatMrs。Snowshould”turnin”assoonasbreakfastwasover。Oneofthethreewouldtakethewatchinthesickroomwhiletheothertwowashedthedishes。Thenursewasinclinedtobalkonthedishwashingproposition，sayingthatshecoulddoitherselfaftershehadhadawinkortwo，butthistheCaptainwouldn’thearof。Hewentaway，however，withanunsettledconvictionthat，althoughheandhispartnersmightwashthedishes，Mrs。Snowwouldwashthemagainassoonasshehadanopportunity。”Shedidn’tsayso，butshesortoflookedit，”heexplainedafterward。
Hefoundhisfriendsseatedatthetableandfeastingonhotbiscuits，eggs，andclear，appetizingcoffee。Theygreetedhimjoyously。”Hey，Eri！”hailedCaptainPerez。”Ain’tthisgay？Lookatthemeggs；b’iledjesttoaT。Ain’tmuchlikeJerry’sh’afrawkind。””Humph！Youneedn’tsaynothin’，Perez，”observedCaptainJerry，hismouthfullofbiscuit。”Whenyouwascook，youallersb’iled’emsohardthey’ddentthebarnifyou’dfired’ematit。How’sJohn，Eri？”
CaptainErigavehisandtheDoctor’sopinionofhisfriend’sconditionandthensaid，”Now，we’vegottohavesomekindofasettlementonthismarryin’question。Lastnight，whenIwasupintheroomthere，itcomeacrostmeallofasuddenthat，fromwhatI’dseenofthisNantucketwoman，she’dbejestthesortofnursethatJohnneeded。SoIskippedoutwhileyoufellerswasbusywiththeDoctor，foundheratthehotel，explainedthingstoher，andgothertocomedown。That’sallthereistothat。Iain’tmadenoarrangementwithher，andsomethin’sgottobedone。Whatdoyouthinkofher，jedgin’bywhatyou’veseen？”
CaptainPerezgaveitashisopinionthatshewas”allright，”andadded，”IfJerryherewa’n’tsopigheadedallatonce，he’dmarryherwithoutwaitin’anotherminute。”
Erinodded。”That’smyidee，”hesaidemphatically。
ButCaptainJerrywasasobstinateasever。Hesimplywouldnotconsiderimmediatemarriage。Invainhiscomradesremindedhimoftheoriginalcompact，andthefactthatthevotewastwotooneagainsthim；heannouncedthathehadchangedhismind，andthatthatwasalltherewasaboutit。
AtlengthCaptainErilostpatience。”Jerry，”heexclaimed，”youremindmeofthatoldwhitehenweusedtohave。Whenwedidn’twanthertosetshe’dsetonanythingfromadoorknobtoarock，couldn’tkeepheroff；butwhenwegiveinfinallyandgotasettin’ofeggsforher，shewouldn’tcomenigherto’emthantheotherendofthehen-yard。Nowyoumightaswellmakeupyourmindthatsomethin’sgottobedone。ThisMrs。Snowain’tnobody’sfool。Weputoutabaitthatanybodywithsensewouldsaycouldn’tcatchnothin’butsculpin，and，bymighty，wehookedahalibut！Ifthewomanwasanythinglikewhatyou’dthinkshe’dbe，answerin’anadvertisementlikethat，I’dbethefusttosaylethergo，butsheain’t；she’sallright，andweneedhertonussJohnbesides。””Tellyouwhatwemightdo，”saidPerezslowly；”wemightexplaintoherthatJerrydon’tfeelthat’twouldberighttothinkofmarryin’withCap’nBaxtersosickinthehouseandthat，ifshe’swillin’，we’llputitofftillhediesorgetsbetter。Meantime，we’llpayhersomuchtostayhereandnuss。Seemstomethat’sabouttheonlywayoutofit。”
SotheyagreedtolaythisproposalbeforetheNantucketlady，CaptainJerryreluctantlyconsenting。ThenCaptainEritookupanothersubject。
JohnBaxter，ashasbeensaid，hadonerelative，agranddaughter，livingsomewherenearBoston。CaptainErifeltthatthisgranddaughtershouldbenotifiedoftheoldman’sillnessatonce。
Thedifficultywasthatnoneofthemknewtheyounglady’saddress。”Herfustname’sElizabeth，sameashermotherswas，”saidEri，”andherdad’snamewasPreston。TheycalledherElsie。Johnusedtowritetohereveryonceinawhile。P’rapsSamwouldknowwhereshelived。””Jest’causeSam’spostmaster，”observedPerez，”itdon’tfollerthathereadsthenameoneveryletterthatgoesoutandremembers’embesides。””Well，ifhedon’t，”saidCaptainJerrydecidedly，”MaryEmmadoes。
Shereadseverything，postalsandall。”
MissMaryEmmaCahoonwastheassistantatthepost-office，andwaspossessedofawell-developedcuriosityconcerningotherpeople’scorrespondence。”Humph！”exclaimedCaptainEri，”that’sso。We’llwritetheletter，andI’llaskMaryEmmafortheaddresswhenIgouptomailit。”
SoCaptainPerezwentupstairstotakeMrsSnow’splaceasnurse，whilethatlady”turnedin。”CaptainJerrywentintothekitchentowashthedishes，andCaptainErisatdowntowritethenotethatshouldinformElizabethPrestonofhergrandfather’sillness。Itwasaveryshortnote，andmerelystatedthefactwithoutfurtherinformation。Havinghadsomeexperienceinthatline，theCaptainplacedverylittlerelianceuponthehelptobeexpectedfromrelatives。
Dr。Palmerhadspreadthenewsashewentuponhisroundofvisitsthatmorning，andcallersbegantodropintoinquireafterthesickman。MissBusteedwasoneofthefirstarrivals，and，asCaptainErihadseenherthroughthewindow，hewentupstairsandtookPerez’placeastemporarynurse。ToPerez，therefore，fellthedelightfultaskofentertainingthevolublefemaleforsomethinglikeanhour，whileshetalkedfire，paralysis，andgeneralgossipatexpressspeed。
RalphHazeltinecameinalittlelater，andwasintroducedtoMrs。
Snow，thatlady’snaphavingbeenbutashortone。Ralphwasfavorablyimpressedwiththecapableappearanceofthenewnurse，andsoexpressedhimselftoCaptainEriastheywalkedtogethertowardthepost-office。”Ilikeher，”hesaidemphatically。”She’squietandsensibleandcheerfulbesides。Shelooksasiftroubledidn’ttroubleherverymuch。””Ijedgeshe’sseenenoughofitinhertime，too，”observedtheCaptainreflectively。”Queerthinghowtroubleactsdifferentonfolks。Kindoflikehotweather，soursmilk，butsweetensapples。
She’soneofthesweetenedkind。Andyet，Ical’lateshecanbeprettysharp，too，ifyoutrytotreadonhertoes。Sortofasweetpickle，hey？”andhelaughed。
MissCahoonrememberedthePrestongirl’saddress。ItwasCambridge，KirklandStreet，butthenumber，shediddeclare，hadskippedhermind。TheCaptainsaidhewouldchanceitwithoutthenumber，sotheletterwasposted。Then，withtheelectrician，hestrolledovertoinspecttheremainsofthebilliardsaloon。
Therewasasmallcrowdgatheredaboutthebuilding，prominentamongitsmembersbeingthe”traincommittee，”whowereevidentlyholdingaspecialsessiononthismomentousoccasion。Thebusy”Squealer，”atrifleenlivenedbysomeofMr。Saunders’wetgoodsthathadescapedtheeffortsofthevolunteersalvagecorps，hailedthenewarrivalsasbrotherheroes。”Wellnow，Cap’nEri！”heexclaimed，shakinghandsvigorously。”AndMr。Hazeltine，too！How’reyoufeelin’afterlastnight？I
saystoWeb，Isays，’There’sfolksinthistownbesidesmethatkeptyoufromlosin’thewholethingandyououghttothank’em，’I
says。’Oneof’em’sCap’nEriandt’otherone’sMr。Hazeltine。
Ifwethreedidn’twork，then_I_don’tknow，’Isays。””Webfoundouthowthefirestartedyit？”inquiredtheCaptainwithapparentunconcern。”No，hehain’tforsure。TherewasalotofusthoughtoldBaxtermighthavesetit，buttheytellmeitcouldn’thavebeenhim，causehewastookdownrunnin’tothefire。Web，he’ssortofchangedhistune，anddon’tseemtothinkanybodysetit；thinksitcatcheditself。”
Mr。Saunders，hissmoothselfagain，withalltracesofmentaldisturbancegonefromhisfaceandallroughnessfromhistongue，camebrisklyup，smilingasiftheburningofhisplaceofbusinesswasbutatriflingincident，alittleannoying，ofcourse，butnotworthfrettingabout。HethankedtheCaptainandHazeltineeffusivelyfortheirserviceofthepreviousnight，andpiledtheweightofhisobligationsuponthemuntil，asCaptainErisaidafterwards，”thesyrupfairlydrippedoffhischin。”TheCaptainbrokeinuponthesugaryflowassoonashecould。”Howd’youthinkitstarted，Web？”heasked。”Well，”repliedMr。Saundersslowly，”Ikindofcal’lateshestartedherself。Therewassomeoftheboysinheremostoftheevenin’，and，jestlike’snot，acigarbutt，oramatch，orsomethin’droppedsomewheresandgottosmolderin’，andsmolderedalongtillbime-by——puff！”Anexpressivewaveofafathandfinishedthesentence。”Humph！”gruntedtheCaptain。”Changedyourmindsencelastnight。
SeemstomeIheardyouthenswearin’youknew’twassetandwhosetit。””Well，ye-es。IwasconsiderableshookuplastnightandmaybeI
saidthingsIhadn’toughtto。Youseethere’sbeenagooddealofhardfeelin’stowardsmeintownandforaspellIthoughtsomefeller’dtriedtoburnmeout。ButIguessnot；Iguessnot。MoreIthinkofit，moreIthinkitcatcheditself。SeemstomeI
remembersmellin’sortofascorchin’smellwhenIwaslockin’up。
Oh，say！Iwasmightysorrytohear’boutCap’nBaxterbein’tooksick。Theoldmanwasdreadfuldownonliquor，butIlaidthattohisreligionandneverhadnohardfeelin’sagainsthim。How’shegittin’along？”
CaptainEribrusquelyrepliedthathisfriendwas”’boutthesame，”
andaskedifMr。Saundersintendedtorebuild。”Web”didn’tknowjustyet。Hewasapoorman，didn’tcarrymuchinsurance，andsoon。Thoughtlikelyheshouldfixupagainifitdidn’tcosttoomuch。DidtheDoctorsaywhetherCaptainBaxterwouldpullthroughornot？
CaptainErigaveanevasiveanswerandturnedaway。Hewassilentforsomelittletime，andwhenRalphcommentedon”Web’s”overnightchangeofmanner，hisrejoinderwastotheeffectthat”ilewasboundtorise，butthatdidn’tmeantherewa’n’tdirtywaterunderneath。”OnthewayhomeheaskedHazeltineconcerningthetroubleatthecablestation，andhowMr。Langleyhadtreatedthematter。
RalphrepliedthatMr。Langleyhadsaidnothingtohimaboutit。
Itwashisopinionthattheoldgentlemanunderstoodtheaffairprettywell，andwasnotdisposedtoblamehim。Asforthemen，theyhadbeenasdocileaslambs，andhethoughtthefeelingtowardhimselfwasnotasbitterasithadbeen。Allofwhichhiscompanionsaidhewasgladtohear。
Theyseparatedatthegate，andtheCaptainenteredthehousetofindMrs。Snowwieldingabroomandsurroundedbyacloudofdust。
Perezwasupstairswiththepatient，andCaptainJerry，whosehabitshadbeenconsiderablyupsetbythesweeping，wasoutinthebarn。
ThateveningthesituationwasexplainedtoMrs。SnowbyCaptainEri，inaccordancewiththetalkatthebreakfasttable。TheladyfromNantucketunderstoodandrespectedCaptainJerry’sunwillingnesstodiscussthemarriagequestionwhileJohnBaxter’sconditioncontinuedcritical，andsheagreedtoactasnurseandhousekeeperforawhile，atleast，forthesumofsixdollarsaweek。Thispricewasfixedonlyafterconsiderablediscussionbythethreemariners，forCaptainEriwasinclinedtooffereight，andCaptainJerrybutfour。
WhenRalphHazeltinecalledlateintheafternoonofthefollowingday，thediningroomwassotransformedthathescarcelyknewit。
Thedusthaddisappeared；thechronometerwaspolishedtillitshone；thetablewascoveredwithacloththatwassnow-white，andeverythingmovablehadtheappearanceofbeinginitsplace。
Altogether，therewasanevidenceoforderthatwasalmoststartling。
CaptainEricametothedoorinresponsetohisknock，andgrinnedappreciativelyathiscaller’slookofwonder。”Idon’twonderyou’res’prised，”hesaid，withachuckle。”I
ain’tbeguntogitoverityit，myself，andLorenzo’ssoshookupheain’tbeeninthehousesencebreakfasttime。He’soutinthebarn，keepin’Dan’lcomp’nyandwaitin’fortheendoftheworldtostrike，Ical’late。”
Ralphlaughed。”Mrs。Snow？”heinquired。”Mrs。Snow，”answeredtheCaptain。”Itbeatsallwhatawomancandowhenshe’sthatkindofawoman。She’sdonemoreswabbin’decksandoverhaulin’runnin’riggin’thananewmateonaclipper。Theplaceissoall-firedcleanthatIfeellikebrushin’myselfeverytimeIgotosetdown。””How’sCaptainBaxter？”askedHazeltine。”Seemstobesomebetter。Hecometoalittlethismornin’，andseemedtoknowsomeofus，butheain’tsensedwhereheisyit，norIdon’tb’lievehewillfuraspell。Setdownandkeepmecomp’ny。
It’smywatchjestnow。Perez，he’sovertoBarry’s；Jerry’suptotheschoolhouse，andMrs。Snow’srunuptothepost-officetomailaletter。John’sasleep，soIcanstaydownstairsalittlewhile，long’sthedoor’sopen。What’sthenewsuptown？Webchangedhismindag’in’boutthefire？”
ItappearedthatMr。Saundershadnotchangedhismind，atleastsocurrentgossipreported。Anditmayberemarkedherethat，curiouslyenough，theopinionthatthefire”caughtitself”cameatlasttobegenerallyacceptedinthevillage。ForsomeweeksCaptainEriwastroubledwiththoughtsconcerningthemissingcoat，but，astimepassed，andtheaccusinggarmentdidnotturnup，hecametobelievethatsomeboymusthavefounditandthatithad，inallprobability，beendestroyed。Therewere，ofcourse，somepersonswhostillsuspectedJohnBaxterastheincendiary，buttheoldman’sseriousillnessandrespectforhisformerstandinginthecommunitykeptthesefewsilent。TheBaxterhousehadbeenlockedupandtheCaptainhadthekey。
Hazeltineandhishostchattedforafewminutesonvarioustopics。
Thegilttitlesontheimposing”LivesofGreatNavalCommanders，”
havingreceivedtheirshareofthegeneraldusting，nowshoneforthresplendent，andtheCaptainnoticedRalph’seyeasitinvoluntarilyturnedtowardthem。”Noticin’ourlibrary？”hechuckled。”Perez’property，thatis。
’GustyBlacktalkedhimintobuyin’’em。Nevermet’Gusty，didyou？No，Iguesslikelynot。ShelivesovertotheNeck，anddon’tgitdowntothevillagemuch。’Gusty’swhatyoucallabusinesswoman。She’alwaysuptosomethin’tomakeadollar，andshe’sasslickatalkeraseverwas，Iguess。ShenevergivePereznoresttillhesignedthedeedforthembooks。Toldhimthey’dgiveliter’rytonetotheshebang。Perezstartedtoread’emoutloudwhentheyfustcome，buthehadtostopsooftentospelloutthefurrinnamesthatmeandJerryusedtogotosleep。Thatmadehimmad，andhesaid，liter’rytonebedurned；hewa’n’tgoin’towastehisbreathreadin’ustosleep；sothey’vebeenontheshelfeversence。”
Ralphlaughed。”Soyouhavebookagents，too？”hesaid。”Well，we’vegot’Gusty，”wasthereply，”andshe’senoughtokeepusgoin’。Gitsroundreg’larasclockworkonceamonthtocollectthetwodollarsfromPerez。It’sherdaynow，andItoldPerezthatthatwaswhyhesneakedofftoBarry’s。Yousee，’Gusty’safterhimtobuythehistoryofMethuselah，orsomeoldcritter，andhedon’tliketoseeher。She’safterme，too，butI’m’fraidshedon’tgitmuchencouragement。”
Aftertheyhadtalkedalittlelonger，theCaptainseemedtoremembersomething，forheglancedathiswatchandsaid，”Mr。
Hazeltine，IwonderifIcouldgityoutodomeafavor。Ireallyoughttogodownandseetomyshanty。Ain’tbeentheresencedayaforeyesterday，andthere’ssomanyboys’round，I’m’fraidtoleaveitunlockedmuchlonger。Ithoughtsomeofthefolkswouldbeback’forethis，butifyoucouldstayherelongenoughformetorundownthereaminuteortwo，I’dbeeversomuchobliged。
I’llstepupandseehowJohnis。”
Hewentupstairsandreturnedtoreportthatthepatientwasquietandseemedtobeasleep。”Ifyouhearhimgroan，oranything，”hesaid，”jestcometothedoorandwhistle。Whistleanyway，ifyouwantme。Ain’tnobodylikelytocome，’lessit’s’GustyortheReverendPerleycometoask’boutJohn。Ifit’samiddlin’good-lookin’youngwomanwithasatchel，that’s’Gusty。Don’twhistle；tellherI’mout。I’llbebackinajiffy，butyouneedn’ttelleitherofthemsounlessyourconsciencehurtsyouTOOmuch。”
AftertheCaptainhadgoneRalphtookdownavolumeofthe”GreatCommanders”andsatdowninachairbythetabletolookitover。
Hewassmilingoverthegaudyillustrationsandflamboyantdescriptionsofbattles，whentherewasasteponthewalkoutsideandknockatthedoor。”Whichisit，”hethought，”’GustyortheReverend？”
ObviouslyitwasMissBlack。Shestoodonthemicaslabthatformedthestepandlookedupathimasheswungthedooropen。
Shehadasmallleatherbaginherhand，justastheCaptainhadsaidshewouldhave，butitflashedacrossMr。Hazeltine’smindthattherestofthedescriptionwasnotafairone；shewascertainlymuchmorethan”middlin’good-lookin’！””IsCaptainHedgein？”sheasked。
Now，fromhisfriend’shints，Ralphhadexpectedtoheararathersharpandunpleasantvoice，——certaindisagreeableremembrancesofformerencounterswithfemalebookagentshadhelpedtoformtheimpressionperhaps，——butMissBlack’svoicewasmellow，quiet，andratherpleasingthanotherwise。”No，”saidMr。Hazeltine，obeyingorderswithexactitude。”CaptainHedgeisoutjustnow。””’Gusty”——somehowthenamedidn’tseemtofit——wasmanifestlydisappointed。”Oh，dear！”shesaid，andthenadded，”Willhebebacksoon？”
Nowthiswasaquestionunprovidedfor。Ralphstammered，andthenmiserablyequivocated。Hereallycouldn’tsayjustwhentheCaptainwouldreturn。”Oh，dear！”saidtheyoungladyagain。Thensheseemedtobewaitingforsomefurtherobservationonthepartofthegentlemanatthedoor。Nonebeingforthcoming，sheseemedtomakeuphermindtoactonherowninitiative。”IthinkIwillcomeinandwait，”shesaidwithdecision。Andcomeinshedid，Mr。Hazeltinenotknowingexactlywhattodo，underthecircumstances。
Nowthiswasmuchmoreinkeepingwiththeelectrician’spreconceivedideasofabookagent’sbehavior；nevertheless，whenheturnedandfoundtheyoungladystandinginthemiddleofthefloor，hefeltobligedtobeatleastdecentlypolite。”Won’tyoutakeachair？”heasked。”Thankyou，”saidthecaller，andtookone。
Thesituationwasextremelyawkward，butRalphfeltthatloyaltytoCaptainEriforbadehisdoinganythingthatmighturgetheself-
possessedMissBlacktoprolonghervisit，soforatimehesaidnothing。TheyoungladylookedoutofthewindowandMr。Hazeltinelookedather。Hewasmorethaneveroftheopinionthatthe”middlin’”termshouldbecutoutofherdescription。Heratherlikedherappearance，sohedecided。Helikedthewaysheworeherhair；sosimpleanarrangement，butsoeffective。Alsohelikedherdress。Itwasthefirsttailor-madewalkingsuithehadseensincehisarrivalinOrham。Andwornbyacountrybookagent，ofallpeople。
JustthenMissBlackturnedandcaughthimintentlygazingather。
Shecolored，apparentlywithdispleasure，andlookedoutofthewindowagain。Mr。Hazeltinecoloredalsoandfidgetedwiththebookonthetable。Thesituationwasconfoundedlyembarrassing。
Hefeltthathemustsaysomethingnow，sohemadetheoriginalobservationthatithadbeenapleasantday。
Tothistheyoungladyagreed，buttherewasnoenthusiasminhertone。ThenRalph，nervouslyfishingforanothertopic，thoughtofthebookinhishand。”Iwasjustreadingthis，”hesaid。”Ifounditquiteinteresting。”
Thenextmomentherealizedthathehadsaidwhat，ofallthings，wasthemostimpolitic。Itwasnothinglessthanabidfora”canvass，”andhefullyexpectedtobeconfrontedwiththenecessaryorderblankswithoutdelay。But，strangelyenough，thebookladymadenosuchmove。Shelookedathim，itistrue，butwithanexpressionofsurpriseandwhatseemedtobeamusementonherface。Hewascertainthatherlipstwitchedasshesaidcalmly:”Didyou？Iamgladtohearit。”
Thisdispassionateremarkwasentirelyunexpected，andtheelectrician，asCaptainEriwouldhavesaid，”losthisbearings”
completely。”Yes——er，yes，”hestammered。”Veryinterestingindeed。I——I
supposeyoumusttakeagoodmanyordersinthecourseofaweek。””AgoodmanyORDERS？””Why，yes。Ordersforthebooks，Imean。Thebooks——the’GreatNavalLives’——er——thesebookshere。””Ibegyourpardon，butwhodoyouthinkIam？”
AnditwasthenthattheperceptionofsometremendousblunderbegantoseizeuponMr。Hazeltine。Hehadbeenredbefore；now，hefelttherednesscreepingoverhisscalpunderhishair。”Why，why，MissBlack，Isuppose；thatis，I——”
JustherethedooropenedandCaptainEricamein。Hetookoffhiscapandthen，seeingthevisitor，remainedstanding，apparentlywaitingforanintroduction。Buttheyoungladydidnotkeephimwaitinglong。”AreyouCaptainEriHedge？”sheasked。”Yes’m，”answeredtheCaptain。”Oh，I’mSOglad。Yourlettercamethismorning，andIhurrieddownonthefirsttrain。I’mElizabethPreston。”