cod! I'll show her once an' for all that 'tis no matter t' me whom
she weds."

There were stout reasons, however, against attempting to cross the run
that night. The lane was filled from shore to shore with fragments of
ice. Moreover, fog was blowing in from the east in the wake of the
departing day, and rain threatened--a cold drizzle. All this being
patent, the rain and peril of the passage in contrast with the dry,
lighted kitchens of Point-o'-Bay Cove, Dickie Blue crossed Scalawag
Run that night notwithstanding; and the mere circumstance of the
crossing, where was no haste that he knew of, indicated at least the
perturbation of his emotions. Well, Peggy Lacey might wed whom she
pleased, an' he'd further her schemes, too, at the risk of his life.
She should have her letter at once--her ring without delay; an' as for
Dickie Blue, 'twas a closed book of romance--there were other maids at
Scalawag Run, fairer maids, more intellectual maids, an' he'd love one
o' them soon enough.

When Dickie Blue entered, Skipper John looked up, amazed.

"Did ye cross the run this night?" said he.

"I'll leave you, sir," Dickie answered curtly, "t' solve that deep
riddle for yourself. You'll not be needing my help."

Skipper John reflected.

"Was there a letter for Peggy Lacey?" said he. "She've been eager for
a message from St. John's."

"There was."

"Nothin' else, I 'low?"

"There was. There was a packet."

"Whew!" Skipper John ejaculated. "That's a pity. I been fearin' an
outcome o' that sort. An I was you, Dick," he advised, "I'd lose no
time in that direction."

"'Tis not my purpose to."

"Ye'll wed the maid?"

"I will not."

"Ye obstinate dunderhead!" Skipper John scolded. "I believes ye! Dang
if I don't! Go to! Shift them wet clothes, sir, an' come t' supper. I
hopes a shrew hooks ye. Dang if I don't!"

* * * * *

In gloomy perturbation, in ill humor with the daft dealings of the
world he lived in, Dickie Blue left the soggy road and sad drizzle of
the night for the warm, yellow light of Peggy Lacey's kitchen, where
pretty Peggy, alone in the housewifely operation, was stowing the
clean dishes away. Yet his course was shaped--his reflections were
determined; and whatever Peggy Lacey might think to the contrary, as
he was no better, after all, than a great, blundering, obstinate young
male creature, swayed by vanity and pique, and captive of both in that
crisis, Peggy Lacey's