"You mean you was intendin' to cast anchor here--with _me_?"

"If it is agreeable. Of course I'll pay my board if you'll let me.
You have a room to spare, haven't you?"

"Land sakes, yes!"

"And I am not afraid to use my hands. I might even be of some slight
use," and she smiled at him till his own slow smile responded, troubled
and amazed though he evidently was by her determination. "I've roughed
it a good deal with daddy-prof. I can cook--some things. And I can do
housework----"

"Bet Gallup does that," interposed Cap'n Abe, finally getting his
bearings. "Hi-mighty, ye did take me aback all standin', Niece Louise!
Ye did, for a fac'. But why not? Land sakes, there's room enough,
an' to spare! Ye don't hafter put them pretty han's to housework.
Betty Gallup'll do all that. An' you don't have to pay no board money.
As for cookin'----That remin's me. I'd better git to work on our
supper. We'll be sharp for it 'fore long."

"And--and I may stay?" asked Louise, with some little embarrassment
now. "You are sure it won't inconvenience you?"

"Bless you, no! I cal'late it's more likely to inconvenience _you_,"
and Cap'n Abe chuckled mellowly. "I don't know what sort o' 'roughin'
it' you've done with your pa; but if there's anything much rougher than
an ol' man's housekeepin' down here on the Cape, it must be pretty
average rough!"