The captain admitted the weather's charm. He had not heard a great deal of his voluble hostess's chatter. He was there, in a way, on business and he was wondering how he might, without giving offence, fulfill his promise to Judge Knowles and see more of the interior of the Fair Harbor. Of the matron of that institution he had already seen enough to classify and appraise her in his mind. Mrs. Berry rambled on and on. At last, out of the tumult of words, Captain Sears caught a fragment which seemed to him pertinent and interesting. "Oh!" he broke in. "So you knew I was--er--hopeful of droppin' in some time or other?" "Why, yes. Elizabeth knew. Judge Knowles told her you said you hoped to. Of course we were delighted.... The poor dear judge! We are _so_ fond of him, my daughter and I. He is so--so essentially aristocratic. Oh, if you knew what that means to me, raised as I was among the people I was. There are times when I sit here in this dreadful place in utter despair--utter.... Oh--oh, of course, Captain Kendrick, I wouldn't have you imagine that Elizabeth and I don't like this house. We _love_ it. And dear 'Belia Seymour is my _closest_ friend. But, you know----" She paused, momentarily, and the captain seized the opportunity---- "So Judge Knowles told you I was liable to call, did he?" he queried. He was somewhat surprised. He wondered if the Judge had hinted at a reason for his visit. "Why, yes," replied Mrs. Berry, "he told Elizabeth. She said---- Oh, here you are, dearie. Captain Kendrick, our next door neighbor, has run in for a little call. Isn't it delightful of him? Captain Kendrick, this is my daughter, Elizabeth." She had entered from the door behind the captain's chair. Now she came forward as he rose from it. "How do you do, Cap'n Kendrick?" she said. "I am very glad to see you again. Judge Knowles told me you were planning to call." She extended her hand and the captain took it. She was smiling, but it seemed to him that the smile was an absent-minded one. In fact--of course it might be entirely his imagination--he had a feeling that she was troubled about something. However, he had no time to surmise or even reply to her greeting. Mrs. Berry had caught a word in that greeting which to her required explanation. "Again?" she repeated. "Why, Elizabeth, have you and Captain Kendrick met before?" "Yes, Mother, that day when our hens got into Mr. Cahoon's garden. You remember I told you at the time." "I don't remember any such thing. I remember Elvira said that she and Aurora met him one afternoon, but I don't remember your saying anything about it." "I told you. No doubt you have forgotten it." "Nonsense! you know I never forget. If there is one thing I can honestly pride myself on it is a good memory. You may have thought you told me, but---- Why, what's that noise?"