so the reasons why she should receive a higher salary than had
previously been paid were set forth. It was something of a surprise to
Elsie, as it had been to Ralph, to see how highly the towns-people, that
is, the respectable portion of them, seemed to value the opinions of
this good-natured but uneducated seaman. And yet when she considered
that she, too, went to him for advice that she would not have asked of
other and far more learned acquaintances, it did not seem so surprising
after all.

The clergyman had had several candidates in mind, but he was easily
won over to Elsie's side, partly by the Captain's argument, and partly
because he was favorably impressed by the young lady's appearance
and manner. He expressed himself as being convinced that she would be
exactly the sort of teacher that the school required and pledged his
vote unconditionally.

And so, as Captain Eri said, the stump-speaking being over, there was
nothing to do but to wait for the election, and Elsie and he agreed
to keep the affair a secret until she received formal notice of the
appointment. This was undoubtedly a good plan, but, unfortunately for
its success, Solomon Bangs called upon his fellow in the committee, Mr.
Mullett, to inform the latter that he, entirely unaided, had discovered
the very teacher that Orham needed in the person of John Baxter's
granddaughter. Mr. Mullett, living up to his "me too" reputation,
indorsed the selection with enthusiasm, and not only did that, but
also told everyone he met, so that Captain Perez heard of it at the
post-office the very next afternoon.

The natural surprise of this gentleman and of Captain Jerry at their
guest's sudden determination was met by plausible explanations from
Captain Eri, to the effect that Elsie was a smart girl, and didn't
like to be "hangin' 'round doin' nothin', now that her grandpa was some
better." Elsie's own reason, as expressed to them, being just this, the
pair accepted it without further questioning. Neither of them attached
much importance to the letter which she had received, although Captain
Perez did ask Mrs. Snow if she knew from whom it came.

The lady from Nantucket was not so easily satisfied. At her first
opportunity she cornered Captain Eri, and they discussed the whole
affair from beginning to end. There was nothing unusual in this
proceeding, for discussions concerning household matters and questions
of domestic policy were, between these two, getting t