Before Mary could reply the Captain cut in again.

"No, she don't know what you mean, neither," he declared, with emphasis.
"That's enough of that now, Isaiah. Don't be any bigger fool than you
can help."

The self-satisfied grin faded from Isaiah's face and was succeeded by a
look of surprised and righteous indignation.

"Wha--what's that?" he stammered. "What's that you're callin' me?"

"I ain't callin' you nothin'. I'm givin' you some free advice, that's
all. Well, Mary-'Gusta, I cal'late, if you've had supper enough, you and
me and Zoeth will go into the settin'-room, where we can all talk and I
can smoke. I can always talk better under a full head of steam. Come on,
Zoeth, Isaiah wants to be clearin' the table."

But Mr. Chase's thoughts were not concerned with table clearing just
then. He stepped between Captain Shadrach and the door leading to the
sitting-room.

"Cap'n Shad Gould," he sputtered, "you--you said somethin' about a fool.
Who's a fool? That's what I want to know--who's a fool?"

The Captain grunted.

"Give it up," he observed. "I never was any hand at riddles. Come, come,
Isaiah! Get out of the channel and let us through."