t's necessary to be every dang thing these days, with the
world so full of idiots. It's good there's somebody who kin turn his
hand to anything. It's the fools who make so much work fer honest
folks."

"Why, what's up now?" the parson queried.

"Ye'd better ask 'what's down?' It's that little lass in yon, down in
bed, because some numb-skulls thought they could sail a boat. I told
'em this mornin' what I thought of 'em fer takin' a gal like that out
on the water, an' they went off in a huff."

"How is she this morning, captain? Rodney told me all about the
accident, and so we have come to make inquiries."

"Oh, she's all right, considerin' what she went through. She's all
clewed down now and ridin' easy. Guess she'll be there fer some time.
Want to see her?"

"Yes, if she's able to be seen."

"Able! Why, she's the fittest one of the bunch as fer as her mind is
concerned. I want to git this chair fixed up fer her as soon as
possible. Go right in. I guess ye'll find Betsey in the kitchen."

Mrs. Britt pleasantly received her visitors, and introduced the
clergyman to Mrs. Sinclair. The latter was a woman of striking
appearance. Her face, of considerable strength and refinement, was
marked by lines of care. But it was her eyes which attracted Parson
Dan's special attention as he shook hands with her, and inquired after
her daughter.

"Oh, Whyn came out of the affair the best of all," and a smile
illumined Mrs. Sinclair's face. "I was greatly worried about her last
night, but she seems none the worse for her experience. Would you like
to see her? I am afraid you will find her a regular little
chatter-box."

Mrs. Sinclair said not a word to Rod, in fact she had hardly noticed
him. He remained standing in the middle of the room after the others
had left, twirling his cap in his nervous hands. He wanted to see the
girl, too, but he had not been invited, and he felt indignant. He had
the first right to go, so he told himself, for he had helped to rescue
her. He thought of going out to the workshop and talking it all over
with the captain. He dismissed the idea, however, and perching himself
upon a chair, waited to see what would happen.

It seemed a long time to him before the others came out of the girl's
room, but in reality it was only a few minutes. There was a smile upon
the clergyman's face as he turned to the boy.

"You're the favoured one this morning, Rodney," he said. "The princess