"I'll just run along now," he said, hurriedly. "Good night."

The child put out her hand. "Good night," she said. "Thank you
very much for helping me carry the fish home. I'm coming to see
you again some day."

She scampered up the walk. Jed, waiting in the shadow of the lilac
bushes by the fence, saw her rattle the latch of the door, saw the
door open and the child caught up in the arms of a woman, who
cried: "Oh, Babbie, dear, where HAVE you been? Mamma was SO
frightened!"

He smiled over the memory of the little girl's visit more than once
that evening. He was very fond of children and their society did
not embarrass or annoy him as did the company of most grown-ups--
strangers, that is. He remembered portions of Miss Barbara's
conversation and determined to repeat them to Captain Sam
Hunniwell, the next time the latter called.

And that next time was the following forenoon. Captain Sam, on the
way to his office at the bank, stopped his car at the edge of the
sidewalk and came into the shop. Jed, having finished painting
wooden sailors for the present, was boxing an assorted collection
of mills and vanes to be sent South, for a certain demand for
"Winslow mills" was developing at the winter as well as the summer
resorts. It was far from winter yet, but this purchaser was
forehanded.

"Hello, Jed," hailed the captain, "busy as usual. You've got the