“And I prefer you should talk to me,” said the captain, and there was a note in his voice that startled Dolly. She imagined that she was suspected. The color had come back to her face now, and her eyes were blazing. Somehow--how, she had not the least idea--she must warn John to-night. To-morrow would be too late, for the captain was on his guard. She leaned back in a corner of the big settle, with a saucy laugh answered his teasing, and gradually regained control of herself. Yet all her will could not keep the color from flying to her face when she heard John’s step. She bent down and played with the kitten at her feet. “Miss Dolly was desiring your presence, Mr. Thurlow,” said the captain. “Oh,” said Dolly carelessly, “never mind, John. That was an hour ago.” Thurlow smiled good-humoredly at her, knowing her to be whimsical. She sat wondering how she could get the message to him. Write it? Even could she do so unobserved she would have no opportunity to give it to him; of that she was certain. Equally sure was she that she would not be allowed to leave the room alone. Suddenly a thought came to her and filled her with glee. “Oh, Mr. Robbins!” she cried. “Have you ever seen our courting-stick?” “Courting-stick? What might that be?” “I’ll show you,” she answered, starting up. “’Tis in the best room.” “Nay, let me get it for you,” he said, rising. “How can you, if you know it not when you see it?” she retorted. “But you may come, too.” She felt a wicked delight in hearing the captain’s muttered exclamations as he followed her into the dim best room, stumbling over table and chairs on the way. “Did you hurt yourself, Mr. Robbins?” she exclaimed, in a tone of commiseration. “Trouble yourself no more; I have the rod. Here, John,” she added, when they had returned, “take the other end while I show Mr. Robbins how our grandfathers courted.” John took the rod and Dolly put her lips to her own end. “John,” she whispered, “betray no surprise for your life! Mr. Robbins knows about the meeting-house loft, and is to lead a band of men to take you Monday night. Pretend you cannot hear this well.” John looked up in apparent perplexity. “The old rod is out of use,” he said. “Speak louder, Dolly.” The captain, with a suspicious look, pressed nearer. “John,” she called, “are you sorry courting-sticks are out of fashion?” “A chilly custom, truly,” said the captain. “Don’t you think, Miss Dolly, it was rather hard on the happy pair?” “Why, no,” said Dolly. “Take the other end, Mr. Robbins, and see the convenience of it.” The captain took John’s place, but he could not catch the faint whisper. “I could not hear the words,” he said. “Oh, I’ll try again,” said Dolly obligingly. This time the captain turned away with an amused laugh. “Cool heart that could carry on love-making at such a length,” he said. “It is a rare curiosity, though. Shall I carry it back, Miss Dolly?”