ch
a thing. How long this day has been!"

"Judgin' by the state of my nerves and knees it's been two year,"
replied Shadrach. "I've aged that much, I swan to man. Humph! I wonder
if Marcellus knows what's happened."

His tone was not loud, but it or the lamplight in her face awakened
Mary-'Gusta. She stirred, opened her eyes and regarded them sleepily.

"Is it mornin'?" she asked.

"No, no," replied Zoeth. "It's only ten o'clock. Captain Shadrach and
I was goin' to bed and we looked in to see if you was all right, that's
all. You must go right to sleep again, dearie."

"Yes, sir," said Mary-'Gusta, obediently. Then she added, "I said my
prayers to myself but I'll say 'em to you if you want me to."

The embarrassed Captain would have protested, but the girl's mind seemed
to be made up.

"I guess I will say 'em again," she said. "There's somethin' in 'em
maybe you'd ought to hear." She closed her eyes. "Please God bless
Father--Oh, I forgot--bless Mrs. Hobbs and Cap'n Gould and Mr. Hamilton.
I thought I'd ask him to bless you, you know, because I'm visitin'
here. And bless David and Rose and Rosette and Emma and Christobel and
Minnehaha. They're my dolls. And please, God, forgive me for breakin'
the music chair and makin' it go off, because you know I am very sorry
and won't do it again. And--and, Oh, yes!--bless Mr. Chase, Amen. You
don't mind my puttin' you and Mr. Chase in, do you?"

"No, dearie, not a mite," said Zoeth.

Captain Shad, looking more embarrassed than ever, shook his head. "Good
night," said Mary-'Gusta. Zoeth hesitated, then he walked over and
kissed her.

"Good night, little girl," he said.

"Good night, Mr. Hamilton," said Mary-'Gusta. Then she turned
expectantly toward the Captain. Shadrach fidgeted, turned to go, and
then, turning back, strode to the bed, brushed the soft cheek with his
rough one and hastened out into the hall. Zoeth followed him, bearing
the lamp. At the door of the Captain's room, they paused.

"Well, good night, Zoeth," said Shadrach, brusquely.

"Good night, Shadrach. This--this is queer business for you and me,
ain't it?"

"I should think 'twas. Humph! You said this morning that maybe Marcellus
was alongside of us today. If he is he knows what's happened, don't he?"

"Perhaps he knows that and more, Shadrach. Perhaps he can see what'll
happen in the future. Perhaps he knows that, too."

"Humph! Well, if he does, he knows a heap more'n I do. Good night."