er myself, and--"

The sacrifice sprang out of his chair.

"Eri Hedge!" he exclaimed indignantly. "I thought you was a friend of
mine! I give you my word I'd do it in a week, and the least you could
have done, seems to me, would have been to wait and give me the chance.
But no! all you think 'bout's yourself. So 'fraid she'd say no and you'd
lose your old housekeeper, wa'n't you? The idea! She must think I'm a
good one--can't do my own courtin', and have to git somebody to do it
for me! What did she say?" he asked suddenly.

"She said yes to what I asked her," was the reply with a half smile.

Upon Captain Jerry's face settled the look of one who accepts the
melancholy inevitable. He sat down again.

"I s'posed she would," he said with a sigh. "She's known me for quite a
spell now, and she's had a chance to see what kind of a man I be. Well,
what else did you do? Ain't settled the weddin' day, have you?" This
with marked sarcasm.

"Not yit. Jerry, you've made a mistake. I didn't ask her for you."

"Didn't ask her--didn't--What are you talkin' 'bout, then?"

"I asked her for myself. She's goin' to marry me."

Captain Jerry was too much astonished even to get up. Instead, he simply
sat still with open mouth while his friend continued.

"I've come to think a lot of Mrs. Snow sence she's been here," Captain
Eri said slowly, "and I've found out that she's felt the same way 'bout
me. I've kept still and said nothin' 'cause I thought you ought to have
the fust chance and, besides, I didn't know how she felt. But to-day,
while we was talkin', it all come out of itself, seems so, and--well,
we're goin' to be married."

The sacrifice--a sacrifice no longer--still sat silent, but curious
changes of expression were passing over his face. Surprise, amazement,
relief, and now a sort of grieved resignation.

"I feel small enough 'bout the way I've treated you, Jerry," continued
Captain Eri. "I didn't mean to--but there! it's done, and all I can
do is say I'm sorry and that I meant to give you your chance. I shan't
blame you if you git mad, not a bit; but I hope you won't."

Captain Jerry sighed. When he spoke it was in a tone of sublime
forgiveness.

"Eri," he said, "I ain't mad. I won't say my feelin's ain't hurt,
'cause--'cause--well, never mind. If a wife and a home ain't for me, why
I ought to be glad that you're goin' to have 'em. I wish you both luck
and a good v'yage. Now, don't talk to me for a few minutes. Let