olour coming and
going, while the elder woman's never varied; and the eyes of the young
maiden were filling fast with tears, while those of Grate Hickson kept
on their stare, dry and unwavering.

'Mother!' said the young man, rising up with a quicker motion than any
one had yet used in this house, 'it is ill speaking of such matters
when my cousin comes first among us. The Lord may give her grace
hereafter, but she has travelled from Boston city to-day, and she and
this seafaring man must need rest and food.'

He did not attend to see the effect of his words, but sat down again,
and seemed to be absorbed in his book in an instant. Perhaps he knew
that his word was law with his grim mother, for he had hardly ceased
speaking before she had pointed to a wooden settle; and smoothing the
lines on her countenance, she said, 'What Manasseh says is true. Sit
down here, while I bid Faith and Nattee get food ready; and meanwhile I
will go tell my husband, that one who calls herself his sister's child
is come over to pay him a visit.'

She went to the door leading into the kitchen, and gave some directions
to the elder girl, whom Lois now knew to be the daughter of the house.
Faith stood impassive, while her mother spoke, scarcely caring to look
at the newly-arrived strangers. She was like her brother Manasseh in
complexion, but had handsomer features, and large, mysterious-looking
eyes, as Lois saw, when once she lifted them up, and took in, as it
were, the aspect of the sea-captain and her cousin with one swift
searching look. About the stiff, tall, angular mother, and the scarce
less pliant figure of the daughter, a girl of twelve years old, or
thereabouts, played all manner of impish antics, unheeded by them, as
if it were her accustomed habit to peep about, now under their arms,
now at this side, now at that, making grimaces all the while at Lois
and Captain Holdernesse, who sat facing the door, weary, and somewhat
disheartened by their reception. The captain pulled out tobacco, and
began to chew it by way of consolation; but in a moment or two, his
usual elasticity of spirit came to his rescue, and he said in a low
voice to Lois:

'That scoundrel Elias, I will give it him! If the letter had but been
delivered, thou wouldst have had a different kind of welcome; but as
soon as I have had some victuals, I will go out and find the lad, and
bring back the letter, and that will make all right, my wench. Nay,
don't be downhear