The side door of the house opened. The next instant Mr. Tidditt, a dripping umbrella in his hand, entered the sitting room. “Hello, Whit!” he hailed. “Just run in for a minute to say howdy.” Then he noticed the schoolmistress, and his expression changed. “Oh! how be you, Miss Dawes?” he said. “I didn't see you fust off. Don't run away on my account.” “I was just going,” said Phoebe, buttoning her jacket. Captain Cy accompanied her to the door. “Good-by,” she said. “There was something else I meant to say, but I think it is best to wait. I hope to have some good news for you soon. Something that will send you to Washington with a light heart. Perhaps I shall hear to-morrow. If so, I will call after school and tell you.” “Yes, do,” urged the captain eagerly. “You'll find me here waitin'. Good news or not, do come. I--I ain't said all I wanted to, myself.” He returned to the sitting room. The town clerk was standing by the stove. He looked troubled. “What's the row, Ase?” asked Cy cheerily. He was overflowing with good nature. “Oh, nothin' special,” replied Mr. Tidditt. “You look joyful enough for two of us. Had good company, ain't you?” “Why, yes; 'bout as good as there is. What makes you look so glum?” Asaph hesitated. “Phoebe was here yesterday, too, wan't she?” he asked. “Yup. What of it?” “And the day afore that?” “No, not for three days afore that. But what OF it, I ask you?” “Well, now, Cy, you mustn't get mad. I'm a friend of yours, and friends ought to be able to say 'most anything to each other. If--if I was you, I wouldn't let Phoebe come so often--not here, you know, at your house. Course, I know she comes with Bos'n and all, but--” “Out with it!” The captain's tone was ominous. “What are you drivin' at?” The caller fidgeted. “Well, Whit,” he stammered, “there's consider'ble talkin' goin' on, that's all.” “Talkin'? What kind of talkin'?” “Well, you know the kind. This town does a good deal of it, 'specially after church and prayer meetin'. Seem's if they thought 'twas a sort of proper place. _I_ don't myself; I kind of like to keep my charity and brotherly love spread out through the week, but--” “Ase, are the folks in this town sayin' a word against Phoebe Dawes because she comes here to see--Bos'n?” “Don't--don't get mad, Whit. Don't look at me like that. _I_ ain't said nothin'. Why, a spell ago, at the boardin' house, I--” He told of the meal at the perfect boarding house where Miss Dawes championed his friend's cause. Also of the conversation which followed, and his own part in it. Captain Cy paced the floor.