Meanwhile, in the parlor, John Palmer engaged the visitor’s attention exclusively, keeping him so busy in telling sea stories that the young man was in peril of having to draw upon his imagination, as well as upon his memory. Ronald got no opportunity of speaking a single word in confidence to Em. Even when supper was announced and he drew the girl’s arm within his own to take her to the table, the family massed so closely that he could not even get a chance to breathe a syllable in her ear on the way to the dining-room. While the family were at supper Ann Whitlock busily prepared the spare room upstairs for the accommodation of their guest, saying to herself as she laid hickory logs across the andirons to build a cheerful fire: “_I_ will make everything as pleasant as possible for him, anyhow, so as to ’tice him to come often. And I’ll ’courage ’em to get married, too, no matter what nobody says. Once they’re safe married nobody can’t unmarry ’em. That’s so!” After supper, when the family were regathered around the parlor fire, the sea stories were resumed, and never had a story-teller a more attentive and appreciative audience than had Ronald Bruce in John Palmer and his household. When the usual bedtime came, however, Susan Palmer began to grow restless, and as soon as Mr. Bruce came to the end of the tale he was then telling she got up and lighted a candle and put it in the hand of her husband, saying: “I reckon, John, as Mr. Bruce is about tired, and you’d better show him to his room.” “Now I do reckon he can find it for himself!” said John, laughing, as he passed the candle over to Ronald, and added: “It’s the same room you occupied before, sir, and you know the way to it.” “Certainly,” replied the young man smilingly; and then more gravely he added: “I came here, Mr. Palmer, especially to seek a private interview with you on a matter of very great importance to me, at least. Can you give me a few moments alone before I leave here to-morrow morning?” “Why, of course I can,” said John, staring with surprise and curiosity. Mr. Bruce then bowed good-night to the circle, raised the hand of Em. to his lips and left the room. “Now I wonder what in the name o’ sense he’s got to say to you, John? Do you know?” eagerly inquired Susan Palmer as soon as their visitor had disappeared. “Oh, something about crops, or stocks, or something! You know his uncle wants him to give up the sea and attend to agriculture, and he knows no more o’ that than I do of navigation,” said John. “Yes, I s’pose that’s it,” concluded Susan. “I never did see two such old goneys in my life!” muttered Ann Whitlock to herself. “Between them both, they’ll ruin that gal’s fortin, I know they will!” But nothing more was said, as the family were even then separating to retire. As Em. went up to bid her father good-night she whispered these enigmatical words into his ear: