MARY (_without turning_). Very well, sir—then, there is nothing more to say. Good-morning. MR. R. (_shamefacedly_). Er-er-good-morning. (_Exit_ R.) MARY (_scornfully_). So this is the way men _protect_ women! Wretch! To dare to speak so to me! (_Re-enter_ PHUS, R.) PHUS. O, mis’! dere’s an ol’ gemmen an’ young maars on de warf, an’ dey bof ax for you. MARY. Why, who can they be? Ask them to come on deck. PHUS (_at_ R.). Dis way! Dis way! (CAPTAIN GANDY, _outside, sings_.) “On Springfield maount’ins there did dwell A lovelye youth an’ known full well—” MARY (_in great surprise_). Father Gandy! (_Enter_ CAPT. G. _at_ R., _with_ J. Q. A., _in the uniform of a railroad-train boy, with a basket on his arm_.) MARY. Why, father! Where _did_ you come from? And John Quincy Adams! (_Rushes into his arms, spilling the basket._) J. Q. A. Here! Here! What are you about, spilling all my spondulics! (_Puts down his basket, and takes off his hat._) MARY. Dear, dear father! where in the world did you come from? (_Throws her arms round him._) CAPT G. Why! from hum, o’ coorse. Whar else should I hail from? MARY (_eagerly_). Oh, father! do you know anything about William? I haven’t heard from him for two months, and I can’t think what the reason is. You don’t suppose anything could have happened to him, do you? CAPT. G. Oh! wal, no—I guess not. I saw by the _Herald_ that Zab Miller’s skewner had strayed from the rest on ’em; but he knows wot he’s abaout. He ain’t a-gwine ter tell all Glowchester where them skewls o’ haulibaout hide. (_Pats her on the shoulder._) Don’t yer worry abaout that! There ain’t no telegraph poles on them fishin’ graounds, an’ the post-man don’t drop in every day in them diggin’s, an’ there ain’t no delivery if yer do write, nuther. MARY. I can’t help worrying; and yet I know he must be safe. But, father, how did _you_ happen to come? CAPT. G. Wal, yer marm was so worrited abaout your trouble that she made me start off; coz she sed I could act as cap’n, if that was all the gov’ment wanted, be “master in name” (she read it in the _Globe_), so’s you could keep the boat. (_Shoves hat on back of head, puts hands in pockets, and walks about, sailor fashion._) J. Q. A. _I_ was the first one to think of coming. And I went to Boston on Jim Rosson’s engine, and got a chance as train-boy to New York. And when marm found out I was bound to come, she said pup should go, too. I wanted to come and punch old Romberg’s head. (_Walks about and inspects everything._) MARY. But where did you get the money to come with, father? and, John (_to_ J. Q. A.), who paid your fare from New York?