l myself that," he said. "When
I went to school the teacher told us one time about an old critter who
lived in a--in a tub, seem's if 'twas. HE was one of them philosophers,
wan't he?"

"Yes. Diogenes."

"That's the cuss. Well, I ain't never lived in a tub, but I've spent
consider'ble time ON one; I was aboard a lightship for five or six year.
Ever lived aboard a lightship, Mr. Bangs?"

"No."

"Humph!... Don't feel disapp'inted on that account, do you?"

"Why--ah--no, I don't know that I do."

"Ain't no occasion. 'Bout the same as bein' in jail, 'tis--only a jail
don't keep heavin' up and down. First week or so you talk. By the second
week the talk's all run out of you, like molasses out of a hogshead.
Then you set and think."

"I see. And so much thinking tends to bring out--ah--philosophy, I
suppose."

"Huh! Maybe so. So much settin' wears out overalls, I know that."

Primmie interrupted.

"I've got it!" she cried, enthusiastically. "_I_ know now!"

Galusha started nervously. Primmie's explosiveness was disturbing. It
did not disturb Mr. Bloomer, however.

"Posy here'd be a good hand aboard a lightship," he observed. "Her
talk'd NEVER run out."

Primmie sniffed disgust. "I wish you wouldn't keep callin' me 'Posy'
and such names, Zach Bloomer," she snapped. "Yesterday he called me 'Old
Bouquet,' Mr. Bangs. My name's Primrose and he knows it."

The phlegmatic Zacheus, whose left leg had been crossed above his right,
now reversed the crossing.

"A-ll right--er Pansy Blossom," he drawled. "What is it you're trying to
tell us you know? Heave it overboard."

"Hey?... Oh, I mean I've remembered what 'twas I wanted to ask you, Mr.
Bangs. Me and Zach was talkin' about Miss Martha. I said it seemed to
me she had somethin' on her mind, was sort of worried and troubled about
somethin', and Zach--"

For the first time the assistant light keeper seemed a trifle less
composed.

"There, there, Primmie," he began. "I wouldn't--"

"Be still, Zach Bloomer. You know you want to find out just as much as I
do. Well, Zach, he cal'lated maybe 'twas money matters, cal'lated maybe
she was in debt or somethin'."

Mr. Bloomer's discomfiture was so intense as to cause him actually to
uncross his legs.

"Godfreys, Prim!" he exclaimed. "Give you a shingle and a
pocket-handkercher and you'll brag to all hands you've got a full-rigged
ship. I never said Martha was in debt. I did say she acted worried to
me and I was afra