in mid-channel by this time. Take it
back to the office and see if the holes in it have spoiled its
usefulness to any extent."

The lieutenant, very red in the face, departed, bearing his
precious plan. Jed heaved a sigh of relief.

"There!" he exclaimed, "now I presume likely I can attend to my
chowder."

"The important things of life, eh?" queried Major Grover.

"Um-hm. I don't know's there's anything much more important than
eatin'. It's a kind of expensive habit, but an awful hard one to
swear off of. . . . Hum. . . . Speakin' of important things, was
that plan of yours very important, Mr.--I mean Major?"

"Rather--yes."

"Sho! . . . And I stuck it on a stick and set it afloat on a
shingle. I cal'late if Sam Hunniwell knew of that he'd say 'twas
characteristic. . . . Hum. . . . Sho! . . . I read once about a
feller that found where the great seal of England was hid and he
used it to crack nuts with. I guess likely that feller must have
been my great, great, great granddad."

Major Grover looked surprised.

"I've read that story," he said, "but I can't remember where."

Jed was stirring his chowder. "Eh?" he said, absently. "Where?
Oh, 'twas in--the--er--'Prince and the Pauper,' you know. Mark
Twain wrote it."

"That's so; I remember now. So you've read 'The Prince and the
Pauper'?"

"Um-hm. Read about everything Mark Twain ever wrote, I shouldn't
wonder."

"Do you read a good deal?"

"Some. . . . There! Now we'll call that chowder done for the
second time, I guess. Set down and pass your plate, Babbie.
You'll set down and have a bite with us, won't you, Mr.--Major--I
snum I've forgot your name. You mustn't mind; I forget my own
sometimes."

"Grover. I am a major in the Engineers, stationed here for the
present to look after this construction work. No, thank you, I
should like to stay, but I must go back to my office."

"Dear, dear! That's too bad. Babbie and I would like first-rate
to have you stay. Wouldn't we, Babbie?"

Barbara nodded.

"Yes, sir," she said. "And the chowder will be awf'ly good. Uncle
Jed's chowders always are."

"I'm sure of it." Major Grover's look of surprise was more evident
than ever as he gazed first at Barbara and then at Mr. Winslow.
His next question was addressed to the latter.

"So you are this young lady's uncle?" he inquired. It was Barbara
who answered.

"Not my really uncle," she announced. "He's just my make-believe
uncl