“It's only monthly lease, I repeat. You can prevent them from getting pauper residence here, in case none of my plans work.” “Don't want 'em here--won't have 'em! I consider taxpayers first!” “Don't ye ever consider common, ordinary, human decency?” roared Captain Epps Candage. It was astonishing interruption. Its violence made it startling. Mayo whirled and stared amazedly at this new recruit. Captain Candage yanked his fat wallet from his pocket and dammed it down on the counter with a bang which made the selectman's eyes snap. “You know _me_, Rowley! We've got the money to pay for what we order and contract for. Them folks ain't paupers so long as we stand be-hind 'em. We are bringing 'em ashore, here, because it's right to help 'em get onto their feet. Hold on, Captain Mayo; you let me talk to Rowley! Him and me know how to get sociable in a business talk!” However, Captain Candage seemed to be seeking sociability by bellowing ferociously, thudding his hard fist on the counter. Mayo was not easily surprised by the temperamental vagaries of queer old 'longcoast crabs like Captain Candage, but this sudden conversion did take away his breath. “When a close and partickler friend of mine, like this one I've just introduced, comes to you all polite and asks a favor, I want general politeness all around or I'll know the reason why,” shouted the intermediary. “Look-a-here, Rowley, you pretend to be a terrible Christian sort of a man. When I have been fog-bound here I've tended out on prayer-meetings, and I have heard you holler like a good one about dying grace and salvation is free. I've never heard you say much about living charity that costs something!” “I claim to be a Christian man,” faltered Rowley, backing away from the banging fist. “Then act like one. If you don't do it, blast your pelt, I'll post you for a heathen from West Quoddy to Kittery!” “God bless you, my dad!” whispered the girl, snuggling close to the skipper's shoulder. “Furthermore, Rowley, besides paying you a fair rental for that old fish-house we'll buy grub for them poor devils out of your store.” Mr. Rowley caressed his beard and blinked. “They're like empty nail-kags, and they'll eat a lot of vittles and we've got the money to pay!” “I have a wallet of my own,” stated Captain Mayo. He had not recovered from his amazement at the sudden shift about of Captain Candage. After all the sullen growling he had been tempted to ask the old skipper to stop tagging him about on his errand of mercy. “Hear that, Rowley? This is the best friend I've got in the whole world! Brought him in here! Introduced him to you! Here's my daughter! Interested, too! Now, whatever you say, you'd better be sure that you pick the right words.” “Well, I'm always ready to help friends,” stated Mr. Rowley. “Yes, and do business in a slack time,” added Captain Candage.