, you and Martha
and the rest of you set down, too."

"But, father," urged his daughter again, "I don't understand. What are
you going to do?"

"Goin' to have a meetin', I tell you."

"But what sort of a meeting?"

"A seance. We cruised clear over to Trumet to hear that Brockton medium
that was stayin' at Obed Taylor's there and when we got to Obed's
we found she'd been called back home unexpected and had left on this
afternoon's train. So we came back here and Marietta's goin' to try to
get in communication herself. That's all there is to it.... Now don't
waste any more time askin' fool questions. Set down. Martha Phipps, what
are you and Mr. Bangs standin' up for?"

Martha's answer was quietly given.

"Why, good gracious, Jethro!" she observed, "why shouldn't we stand up?
Mr. Bangs and I came over to spend the evenin' with Lulie. We didn't
know you and Marietta and Ophelia and the rest were goin' to hold
any--er--what do you call 'em?--seances. We'll run right along and leave
you to enjoy yourselves. Come, Mr. Bangs."

For some reason or other this reply appeared to irritate the light
keeper exceedingly. He glared at her.

"Set down, both of you," he ordered. "I want you to. 'Twill do you good.
No, you ain't goin', neither. Lulie, you tell 'em to stay here."

His manner was so determined and the light in his eye so ominous that
his daughter was alarmed.

"Oh, do stay, Martha," she pleaded. "Won't you please stay, you and Mr.
Bangs? I think it will be for the best, truly I do. Please stay."

Martha looked at her lodger. Galusha smiled.

"I shall be very glad to remain," he observed. "Indeed yes, really."

Miss Phipps nodded. "All right, Lulie," she said, quietly. "We'll stay."

They took chairs in the back row of the double circle. Primmie, eyes and
mouth open and agog with excitement, had already seated herself. Captain
Jethro looked about the room.

"Are we all ready," he growled. "Eh? Who's that comin'? Oh, it's you.
Well, set down and keep quiet."

It was Mr. Bloomer who had re-entered the room and was received so
unceremoniously. He glanced at Galusha Bangs, winked the eye which the
captain could not see, and sat down next to Primmie.

"Now then," said Captain Jeth, who was evidently master of ceremonies,
"if you're all ready, Marietta, I cal'late we are. Cast off! Heave
ahead!"

But Miss Hoag seemed troubled; evidently she was not ready to cast off
and heave ahead.

"Why--why, Cap'n Jeth,