pretty
glorious nonsense, seems to me. I do congratulate you, Mr. Bangs. And
I congratulate the Institute folks a great deal more. Now tell me some
more about it, please. Where is this place they want you to go to?"

That afternoon Galusha spent in wandering about the countryside. He went
as far from home as the old graveyard in South Wellmouth. He took a long
walk and it should have been a pleasant one, but somehow it was not,
particularly. All he could think of was the two facts--one, that he had
been offered a wonderful opportunity, for which he should be eagerly and
hugely grateful; two, that he was not grateful at all, but resentful and
rebellious. And what on earth was the matter with him?

Martha was setting the supper table when he came in. He went to his
room and when he came down supper was almost ready. Primmie was in the
kitchen, busy with the cooking.

"We're having an early supper, Mr. Bangs," said Martha. "That
everlastin' seance begins about half past seven, so Cap'n Jethro took
pains to tell me, and he'll be crosser'n a hen out in a rainstorm if
we're not on time."

Galusha looked surprised. He had forgotten the seance altogether. Yes,
he had quite forgotten it. And, up to that noon, he had thought of very
little else the entire week. What WAS the matter with him?

"Lulie is goin' to send Zach over to tell us when they're ready to set
sail for Ghost Harbor," went on Martha. "That will save us watchin' the
clock. What say?"

But he had not said anything and she went on arranging the dishes. After
an interval she asked a question.

"How soon--that is, when will you have to leave us--leave here, Mr.
Bangs?" she asked. She was not looking at him when she asked it.

Galusha sighed. "In about two weeks, I--ah--suppose," he said.

"Oh!"

"Ah--yes."

There was another silent interval. Then Martha turned her head to
listen.

"Wasn't that an automobile I heard then?" she asked. "Yes, it is. It
can't be the Spiritualist crowd comin' so soon. No, it is stoppin' here,
at our gate. Is it Doctor Powers, I wonder?"

She went to the window, pulled aside the shade and looked out.

"It is a big car," she said. "It isn't the doctor, that's sure. There's
a man gettin' out, a big man in a fur coat. Who on earth--?"

Steps sounded without upon the walk, then there was a knock upon the
side door, that of the dining room. Martha opened the door. A man's
voice, a brisk, businesslike voice, asked a question.