plain that Darry was a survivor of the last
wreck, on the shore where so many brave ships had left their bones.

"He's a waif, what's never knowed no home, Nance. The captain picked him
up abroad, but he's English or American, sure enough. With the death of
that captain went his only friend. I liked the lad,--he somehow made me
think of our Joe. Jest the same size, too, and he could wear his clothes
fine. He'd be a great help to yuh, I reckons, if so be yuh would like to
have him stay."

Abner saw a look of coming trouble in the eyes of his wife, and his
voice took on a pleading tone.

His mention of Joe was unfortunate, perhaps, for the woman had never
become reconciled to the loss of her only boy, and always declared
Heaven had dealt unjustly with her when there were so many worthless
lads in the village, who could have been far better spared.

"Just like I didn't have my hands full now, without bringing home any
more mouths to feed," she fumed. "Like as not he's a good-for-nothing
like Jim Dilks, and will only make us trouble right along. Keep him over
at the station if you want, Abner Peake, but you don't quarter him on
me. This is my house, and I'm to be consulted before anybody is brought
here."

Abner had apparently thought this all over.

He simply took Darry's hand and drew the half resisting lad over in
front of the irate woman.

"Nancy, I never knowed yuh to be anything but fair. S'posin' our leetle
Joe was kerried out to sea, an' in a strange land met up with a citizen
as took him home to his wife. What kinder reception do yuh think _he'd_
get? Could any woman look in Joe's face an' send him away from her door?
Wall, then, jest look in the face o' this boy, an' then if so be yuh say
take him away, I'll do it, Nancy," he said, simply.

Almost against her will she was compelled to look.

Well it was for Darry that he had clear eyes in which lurked no guile,
for that gaze of the surfman's "missus" was searching, since she had
before her mind a picture of the lost Joe.

She only nodded her head and said:

"Let him stay."

Perhaps she was too full of emotion to say more; but the husband nodded
his head as though satisfied with what he had done.

"It's all right, boy; she seen Joey in your eyes, jest as I done. Seems
to me yuh kin make good with the ole woman. Don't notice all she says
fur a time. Sure she's suffered some."

Apparently the family had waited with supper for Abner to come home, for