“Three trunks for one boy! For mercy sakes, what have you got in 'em?” “Why--why, my things. My clothes and--and--everything.” “Everything, or just about, I should say. Goodness gracious me, when I go up to Boston I have all I can do to fill up one trunk. And I'm bigger'n you are--bigger 'round, anyway.” There was no doubt about that. Captain Zelotes laughed shortly. “That statement ain't what I'd call exaggerated, Rachel,” he declared. “Every time I see you and Laban out walkin' together he has to keep on the sunny side or be in a total eclipse. And, by the way, speakin' of Laban--Say, son, how did you and he get along comin' down from the depot?” “All right. It was pretty dark.” “I'll bet you! Laban wasn't very talkative, was he?” “Why, yes, sir, he talked a good deal but he sang most of the time.” This simple statement appeared to cause a most surprising sensation. The Snows and their housekeeper looked at each other. Captain Zelotes leaned back in his chair and whistled. “Whew!” he observed. “Hum! Sho! Thunderation!” “Oh, dear!” exclaimed his wife. Mrs. Ellis, the housekeeper, drew a long breath. “I might have expected it,” she said tartly. “It's past time. He's pretty nigh a month overdue, as 'tis.” Captain Snow rose to his feet. “I was kind of suspicious when he started for the barn,” he declared. “Seemed to me he was singin' then. WHAT did he sing, boy?” he asked, turning suddenly upon his grandson. “Why--why, I don't know. I didn't notice particularly. You see, it was pretty cold and--” Mrs. Ellis interrupted. “Did he sing anything about somebody's bein' his darlin' hanky-panky and wearin' a number two?” she demanded sharply. “Why--why, yes, he did.” Apparently that settled it. Mrs. Snow said, “Oh, dear!” again and the housekeeper also rose from the table. “You'd better go right out to the barn this minute, Cap'n Lote,” she said, “and I guess likely I'd better go with you.” The captain already had his cap on his head. “No, Rachel,” he said, “I don't need you. Cal'late I can take care of 'most anything that's liable to have happened. If he ain't put the bridle to bed in the stall and hung the mare up on the harness pegs I judge I can handle the job. Wonder how fur along he'd got. Didn't hear him singin' anything about 'Hyannis on the Cape,' did you, boy?” “No.” “That's some comfort. Now, don't you worry, Mother. I'll be back in a few minutes.” Mrs. Snow clasped her hands. “Oh, I HOPE he hasn't set the barn afire,” she wailed. “No danger of that, I guess. No, Rachel, you 'tend to your supper. I don't need you.” He tramped out into the hall and the door closed behind him. Mrs. Snow turned apologetically to her puzzled grandson, who was entirely at a loss to know what the trouble was about.