"You must not make company of me, Cap'n Abe," Louise declared. "There,
I hear a customer in the store," and she gave him a little pat on the
shoulder as he delivered the huge apron into her hand.

"I dunno," he said, smiling upon her quizzically, "as I shall really
want to cast off if Cap'n Am'zon _does_ come. Seems to me 'twould be
hi-mighty nice to have a girl like you around the place, Louise."

"Then don't go," she said, briskly beginning to clear off. "_I_
sha'n't mind having two of you for me to boss. Two captains! Think of
it."

"Yes. I know. But I got all my plans laid," he murmured, and then
went slowly into the store.

There seemed to be some briskness in the after-supper trade, and Louise
suspected that it was founded upon the news of her arrival at Cap'n
Abe's store. Several of his rather tart rejoinders reached her ears as
she went from kitchen to livingroom and back again. Finally removing
the apron, her task done, she seated herself with Diddimus in her lap
within the radiance of the lamp and within hearing of all that was said
in the store.

"No. I dunno's I ever did tell ye quite all my business, Joab. Some
things I missed, includin' the list of my relations."

"Yes, I hear tell most of these movin' picture actresses are pretty,
Miz' Peckham. They pick 'em for that puppose, I shouldn't wonder. I
didn't ask her what part she was goin' to play--_if_ any."