ather any longer."

"And there ain't a single other reason for--Of course, I ought to mind
my business, but--Well, there! what was it you wanted me to do? Help you
git the place?"

"Yes, if you will. I know Captain Perez has said that you were
interested in the town-meetings and helped to nominate some of the
selectmen and the school-committee, so I thought perhaps, if you used
your influence, you might get the position for me."

"Well, I don't know. I did do a little electioneerin' for one or two
fellers and maybe they'd ought to be willin' to do somethin' for me.
Still, you can't never tell. A cat 'll jump over your hands if she knows
there's a piece of fish comin' afterwards, but when she's swallowed that
fish, it's a diff'rent job altogether. Same way with a politician. But,
then, you let me think over it for a spell, and p'raps to-morrow we'll
see. You think it over, too. Maybe you'll change your mind."

"No, I shan't change my mind. I'm ever and ever so much obliged to you,
though."

She started toward the door, but turned impulsively and said, "Oh,
Captain Eri, you don't think that I'm ungrateful, do you? You nor
Captain Perez nor Captain Jerry won't think that I do not appreciate
all your kindness? You won't think that I'm shirking my duty, or that
I don't want to help take care of grandfather any longer? You won't?
Promise me you won't."

She choked down a sob as she asked the question.

Captain Eri was as much moved as she was. He hastened to answer.

"No, no, no!" he exclaimed. "Course we won't do no such thing. Run right
along, and don't think another word about it. Wait till to-morrer. I'll
have a plan fixed up to land that school-committee, see if I don't."

But all that evening he worked at the model of the clipper, and the
expression on his face as he whittled showed that he was puzzled, and
not a little troubled.

He came back from his fishing next day a little earlier than usual,
changed his working-clothes for his second best suit, harnessed Daniel
into the buggy, and then came into the house, and announced that he was
going over to the Neck on an errand, and if Elsie wanted to go with him,
he should be glad of her company. As this was but part of a pre-arranged
scheme, the young lady declared that a ride was just what she needed.

Captain Eri said but little, as they drove up to the "main road"; he
seemed to be thinking. Elsie, too, was very quiet. When they reached the
fruit and candy s