ere."

"Ay?"

"An' then she'll take the letter with the money."

"Ay?"

"An' she'll be gone about a month an' a fortnight, an' then she'll be
back with----"

"The cure!" cried Jimmie, giving his father an affectionate dig in
the ribs. "She'll be back with the cure!"

"Go t' sleep, lad."

"I can't," Jimmie whispered. "I can't for joy o' thinkin' o' that
cure."

* * * * *

By and by the ice moved out, and, in good time, the steamer came. It
was at the end of a blustering day, with the night falling thick.
Passengers and crew alike--from the grimy stokers to the shivering
American tourists--were relieved to learn, when the anchor went down
with a splash and a rumble, that the "old man" was to "hang her down"
until the weather turned "civil."

Accompanied by the old schoolmaster, who was to lend him aid in
registering the letter to the Kurepain Company, Jim Grimm went aboard
in the punt. It was then dark.

"You knows a Yankee when you sees one," said he, when they reached the
upper deck. "Point un out, an' I'll ask un."

"Ay, _I'm_ travelled," said the schoolmaster, importantly. "And
'twould be wise to ask about this Kurepain Company before you post the
letter."

Thus it came about that Jim Grimm timidly approached two gentlemen who
were chatting merrily in the lee of the wheel-house.

"Do you know the Kurepain, sir?" he asked.

"Eh? What?" the one replied.

"Hook's, sir."

"Hook's? In the name of wonder, man, Hook's what?"

"Kurepain, sir."

"Hook's Kurepain," said the stranger. "Doctor," addressing his
companion, "do you recommend----"

The doctor shrugged his shoulders.

"Then you do not?" said the other.

The doctor eyed Jim Grimm. "Why do you ask?" he inquired.

"'Tis for me little son, sir," Jim replied. "He've a queer sort o'
rheumaticks. We're thinkin' the Kurepain will cure un. It have cured a
Minister o' the Gospel, sir, an' a Champion o' the World; an' we was
allowin' that it wouldn't have much trouble t' cure little Jimmie
Grimm. They's as much as twelve dollars, sir, in this here letter,
which I'm sendin' away. I'm wantin' t' know, sir, if they'll send the
cure if I sends the money."

The doctor was silent for a moment. "Where do you live?" he asked, at
last.

Jim pointed to a far-off light. "Jimmie will be at that window," he
said, "lookin' out at the steamer's lights."

"Do you care for a run ashore?" asked the doctor, turning to