going to bed, and next morning at the breakfast table the questioning
began all over again.

"Mrs. Wyeth was down at the dock, I presume likely, to meet you when
your ship made port?" queried Zoeth.

"Yes, she was there," replied Mary.

"Anybody else? How about that young Smith feller? Wa'n't he there, too?"
asked Captain Shadrach with elaborate innocence.

Mary colored just a little. She knew it was foolish; there was no reason
in the world why she should be embarrassed, but she could not help it.

"No, Uncle Shad," she answered. "He wasn't there. He has not returned
from the West yet, but he will be in Boston next week when the Medical
College opens."

"Been havin' a good time out West there, has he?" inquired the Captain,
still with studied unconcern.

"Yes. At least he writes me that he has." She looked from one to the
other of her trio of listeners and then added: "I have some of his
letters here with me. If you'd like to hear them I'll read them aloud."

"No, no, you needn't do that," protested Shadrach hastily. But after
another look at him Mary said, "I think I will," and departed in search
of the letters.

Captain Shad, looking a trifle guilty, glanced at his partner.