Captain. "I'll see him some time
to-day, and I'll tell him you didn't mean it. Why, I declare! Yes, 'tis!
There he is, now! Hi! Mr. Hazeltine! Come here a minute."

A mischievous imp was certainly directing Captain Jerry's movements.
Ralph had, almost for the first time since he came to Orham, paid an
early morning visit to the office in order to send an important letter
in the first mail. The slamming of the door had attracted the Captain's
attention and, in response to the hail, Mr. Hazeltine crossed the road.

And then Captain Jerry felt his arm clutched with a grip that meant
business, as Miss Preston whispered, "Don't you dare say one word to him
about it. Don't you DARE!"

If Ralph had been surprised by the request to join the couple, he was
more surprised by the reception he received. Elsie's face was crimson,
and as for the Captain, he looked like a man who had suddenly been left
standing alone in the middle of a pond covered with very thin ice.

The electrician bowed and shook hands gravely. As no remark seemed to be
forthcoming from those who had summoned him, he observed that it was
an unpleasant morning. This commonplace reminded him of one somewhat
similar that he had made to a supposed Miss "Gusty" Black, and he, too,
colored.

"Did you want to speak with me, Captain?" he asked, to cover his
confusion.

"Why--why, I did," stammered poor Captain Jerry, "but--but I
don't know's I do now." Then he realized that this was not exactly
complimentary, and added, "That is, I don't know--I don't know's
I--Elsie, what was it I was goin' to say to Mr. Hazeltine?"

At another time it is likely that the young lady's quick wit would have
helped her out of the difficulty, but now she was too much disturbed.

"I'm sure I don't know," she said coldly.

"You don't know! Why, yes you do? 'Twas--'twas--" The Captain was
frantically grasping at straws. "Why, we was wonderin' why you didn't
come to see us nowadays."

If the Captain had seen the look that Elsie shot at him, as he delivered
this brilliant observation, he might have been more, instead of less,
uncomfortable. As it was, he felt rather proud of having discovered
a way out of the difficulty. But Ralph's embarrassment increased. He
hurriedly said something about having been very busy.

"Well," went on the Captain, intent on making the explanation as
plausible as possible, "we've missed you consider'ble. We was sayin' we
hoped you wouldn't give us up altoge