"I cal'late if Cap'n Shad caught me tellin' tales out of school he'd go
to work and turn to and bust me over the head with a marlinespike," said
Mr. Chase, with the air of one stating a fact.

Mary laughed. "Oh, no, he wouldn't," she declared. "I'll stand back of
you, Isaiah. Now mind, you are to keep me posted on JUST how things are
here."




CHAPTER XVI


Mary went back to Boston and to school, where old acquaintances were
renewed and new ones made. The Misses Cabot welcomed her with fussy and
dignified condescension. Barbara Howe hugged and kissed her and vowed
she had not seen a girl all summer who was half so sweet.

"Why in the world someone doesn't run off with you and marry you this
very minute I cannot see," declared the vivacious young lady. "If I were
a man I should."

Mary, who was used to Miss Howe's outbursts, merely smiled.

"Oh, no, you wouldn't," she replied. "I should hope you would be more
sensible. No one will run off with me; at least I wouldn't run off with
them."

"Why not? Don't you think an elopement is perfectly splendid--so