Mrs. Banks, looking up suspiciously, said, “Wonderful, considering,” and relapsed into silence until such time as her foe should give her an opening. Mrs. Church took a seat by her side, and Nibletts, with a feeling of something strained in the atmosphere, for which he could not account, resumed his walk. He was nearly up to Captain Barber’s house when he saw a figure come out of the lane by the side, and after glancing furtively in all directions make silently for the door. The watching Nibletts quickening his pace, reached it at almost the same moment. “Mrs. Banks is looking for you,” he said, as he followed him into the parlour. Captain Barber turned on him a weary eye, but made no reply. “And Mrs. Church, too; at least, I think so,” continued the other. “Cap’n Nibletts,” said the old man, slowly, “I ’ope you’ll never live long enough to be run arter in the way I’m run arter.” The astonished mariner murmured humbly that he didn’t think it was at all likely, and also that Mrs. Nibletts would probably have a word or two to say in the matter. “From the moment I get up to the moment I get to bed, I’m run arter,” continued the hapless Barber. “Mrs. Church won’t let me go out of ’er sight if she can help it, and Mrs. Banks is as bad as she is. While they was saying nice things to each other this morning in a nasty way I managed to slip out.” “Well, why not get rid o’ Mrs. Church?” said the simple Nibletts. “Rid o’ Mrs. Church!” repeated Captain Barber, aghast; “why don’t you get rid o’ your face, Nibletts?” he asked, by way of comparison merely. “Because I don’t want to,” replied the other, flushing. “Because you _can’t_” said Captain Barber, emphatically. “And no more can’t I get rid of ’er. You see, I ’appened to take a little notice of ’er.” “Oh, well,” said the other, and sighed and shook his head discouragingly. “I took a little notice of ’er,” repeated Captain Barber, “and then to spare her feelings I ’ad to sort o’ let ’er know that I could never marry for Fred’s sake, d’ye see? Then on top of all that poor Fred goes and gets drownded.” “But have you promised to marry her?” asked Nibletts, with a cunning look. “Of course I’ve not,” rejoined Captain Barber, testily; “but when you know as much about wimmen as I do, you’ll know that that’s got nothing to do with it. It gets took for granted. Mrs. Church’s whole manner to me now is that of a engaged young person. If she was sitting here now she’d put ’er hand on top o’ mine.” “Not before me?” said Nibletts, in a shocked voice. “Before the Prince of Wales and all the Royal Family,” replied Captain Barber, with conviction. “You’ve no idea how silly and awkward it makes me feel.” “Here she comes,” said Nibletts, in a low voice, “and Mrs. Banks and her daughter, too.” Captain Barber coughed and, sitting upright, strove to look unconcerned as the three ladies came into the room and expressed their pleasure at seeing him.