She laughed. “Are you jokin', Mr. Bangs?” she asked. “Rest! I should say the average person would find it easier to rest here than to do anything else. But you are jokin', of course?” “No; no, indeed, I am quite serious. Second, the air about here is--ah--good and--and fresh?” “GOOD! Well, considerin' that most of it is blown over three or four thousand miles of salt water before it gets here it ought to be fairly good, I should say. As to its bein' fresh--well, if you were here when a February no'theaster was blowin' I'm afraid you might find it a little TOO fresh.” “That is satisfactory, that is very satisfactory indeed. Now what was the third thing the doctor said I must have? Oh, yes, people. And I know there are people here because I have met them. And very nice people, indeed.... Oh, this is VERY satisfactory, Miss Phipps. Now my conscience is quite clear concerning my promise to the doctor and I can go on to my proposal to you.” “Your--your WHAT?” “My proposal--the--ah--proposition I want to make you, Miss Phipps. And I DO hope you will consider it favorably. You see, I like East Wellmouth VERY much. My doctor told me I must go where I could find fresh air, rest, and people. They are all here in East Wellmouth. And he said I must have exercise, and behold my daily walks to that most interesting old cemetery of yours. Now, you have been VERY kind to me already, Miss Phipps; could you be still more kind? Would you--ah--could you let me continue our present arrangement indefinitely--for a few months, let us say? Might I be permitted to board here with you until--well, until spring, perhaps?” Martha Phipps leaned back in her chair. She regarded him keenly. “Mr. Bangs,” she said, slowly, “has some one been tellin' you that I needed money and are you makin' me this offer out of--well, out of charity?” Galusha jumped violently. He turned quite pale. “Oh, dear, dear, dear!” he cried, in a great agitation. “Oh, dear me, dear me! No, INDEED, Miss Phipps! I am VERY sorry you should so misunderstand me. I--I--Of course I know nothing of your money affairs, nor should I presume to--to--Oh, I--I--Oh, dear!” His distress was so keen that she was obliged to recognize it. “All right, all right, Mr. Bangs,” she said. “It wasn't charity, I can see that. But what was it? Do I understand you to say that you like--actually like this lonesome place well enough to want to stay here all WINTER?” “Yes--ah--yes. And it doesn't seem lonesome to me.” “Doesn't it? Well, wait a little while.... And you really mean you want to keep on boardin' here--with me, with us?” “Yes, if--if you will be so very kind as to permit me to do so. If you will be so good.” “Good! To what? My soul and body!” “No--ah--good to mine,” said Galusha. CHAPTER VI It was not settled that evening. Martha declared she must have at least a few hours in which to think it over and Galusha, of course, agreed.