Cyrus opened his weak mouth to ask an explanation, but Gussie rushed in. "You are quite right, ma'am. Cyrus worries so about it (of course we know what you refer to). And Cyrus says it ought to be checked immediately, to save the old gentleman!" "You must stop him," said Mary North, "for my mother's sake." "Well--" Cyrus began. "Have you cautioned your mother?" Gussie demanded. "Yes," Miss North said, briefly. To talk to this woman of her mother made her wince, but it had to be done. "Will you speak to your father, Mr. Price?" "Well, I--" "Of course he will!" Gussie broke in; "Cyrus, he is in the cabin now." "Well, to-morrow I--" Cyrus got up and sidled towards the door. "Anyhow, I don't believe he's thinking of such a thing." "Miss North," said Gussie, rising, "_I_ will do it." "What, _now_?" faltered Mary North. "Now," said Mrs. Cyrus, firmly. "Oh," said Miss North, "I--I think I will go home. Gentlemen, when they are crossed, speak so--so earnestly." Gussie nodded. The joy of action and of combat entered suddenly into her little soul; she never looked less vulgar than at that moment. Cyrus had disappeared. Mary North, white and trembling, hurried out. A wheezing strain from the harmonicon followed her into the May sunshine, then ended, abruptly--Mrs. Price had begun! On her own door-step Miss North stopped and listened, holding her breath for an outburst.... It came: a roar of laughter. Then silence. Mary North stood, motionless, in her own parlor; her shawl, hanging from one elbow, trailed behind her; her other glove had split; her bonnet was blown back and over one ear; her heart was pounding in her throat. She was perfectly aware that she had done an unheard-of thing. "But," she said, aloud, "I'd do it again. I'd do anything to protect her. But I hope I was polite?" Then she thought how courageous Mrs. Cyrus was. "She's as brave as a lion!" said Mary North. Yet, had Miss North been able to stand at the Captain's door, she would have witnessed cowardice.... "Gussie, I wouldn't cry. Confound that female, coming over and stirring you up! Now don't, Gussie! Why, I never thought of--Gussie, I wouldn't cry--" "I have worried almost to death. Pro-promise!" "Oh, your granny was Mur-- Gussie, my dear, now _don't_." "Dr. Lavendar said you'd always been so sensible; he said he didn't see how you could think of such a dreadful thing." "What! Lavendar? I'll thank Lavendar to mind his business!" Captain Price forgot Gussie; he spoke "earnestly." "Dog-gone these people that pry into-- Oh, now, Gussie, _don't_!" "I've worried so awfully," said Mrs. Cyrus. "Everybody is talking about you. And Dr. Lavendar is so--so angry about it; and now the daughter has charged on me as though it is my fault! Of course, she is queer, but--" "Queer? she's queer as Dick's hatband! Why do you listen to her? Gussie, such an idea never entered my head--or Mrs. North's either." "Oh yes, it has! Her daughter said that she had had to speak to her--"