s much as Eben. That boy's a caution, an' he's
given me an' Martha no end of worry."

"In what way?"

The captain scratched his head in perplexity, and shifted uneasily from
one foot to another.

"I kin hardly explain," he at length replied. "He don't drink, nor
swear, nor do nuthin' bad. But the trouble is, he don't do nuthin',
an' don't want to do nuthin' but sleep an' eat."

"Perhaps you have not brought him up right, Captain."

"Not brought him up right!" Samuel's amazement was intense. "Why,
Miss, we've done nuthin' but bring that boy up. Me an' Martha have
slaved fer the raisin' of Eben. We started when he was a baby to raise
him, right, an' the very next Sunday after he was born didn't they sing
in church--

"'Here I'll raise my Ebenezer'."

"And so you've been singing it ever since, even when scrubbing the
cabin?" The girl smiled at the recollection of the suddenly
discontinued tune.

"Sure, why shouldn't I? It's a great hymn, it sartinly is, an' it's
inspired me many a time. It has kept before me my duty, an' if Eben
doesn't amount to somethin', it won't be my fault, nor Martha's,
either, fer that matter."

"Have you taken the same care with your daughter?" the girl asked.

"No, not as much," was the reluctant confession. "Gals don't need sich
special care. They ginerally grow up all right, an' git along somehow.
But it's different with boys. They're a problem, they sartinly are."

"And so you have given most of your attention to your son, and let your
daughter grow up any way. Is that it, Captain?"

"That's about it, Miss."

"And how is your daughter getting along?"

"Fust rate. We've no trouble with her. She's a good worker, happy an'
cheerful as a bird, an' does what she's told. She's a fine gal, Flo
is, an' thar's no mistake about that. I wish to goodness Eben was like
her."

"It seems to me, Captain, that you tried too hard to raise your son,
and spoiled him. Isn't that it?"

"D'ye think so?"

"I am sure of it. You are not the only ones who have spent all their
care upon their sons and let their daughters grow up as they please. I
know too much about it."

"Ye do!" Samuel's eyes opened wide in wonder. "An' you only a young
gal, too."

"But I am old in experience, and know what I say is true. But what is
that?" A startled look leaped into her eyes. "Do you suppose it is
someone after me?"

With a bound the captain sprang up the stairs. He paused for