into his pocket, produced a crumpled handkerchief, and blew his nose
violently. Zoeth stroked the child's hair.

"Mary-'Gusta," he said, after a moment, "how would you like to go over
to South Harniss and--and see me and Cap'n Gould a little while? Just
make us a visit, you know. Think you'd like that?"

The Captain started. "Good land, Zoeth!" he exclaimed. "Be careful what
you're sayin'."

"I ain't sayin' anything definite, Shadrach. I know how you feel about
it. I just wanted to see how she felt herself, that's all. Think you'd
like that, Mary-'Gusta?"

Mary-'Gusta thought it over. "I guess maybe I would," she said, "if
I could take my dolls and David. I wouldn't want to leave David. Mrs.
Hobbs don't like cats."

And at that moment Mrs. Hobbs herself appeared in the doorway of the
carriage room. She saw the child and her eyes snapped.

"So she was here," she said. "I thought as much. Mary-'Gusta, what did
you run away from that room for? Didn't I forbid you leavin' it? She's
been a bad girl, Judge Baxter," she added, "and I can't make her behave.
I try my best, but I'm sure I don't know what to do."

Captain Shadrach thrust both hands into his pockets.

"I tell you what to do," he said, sharply. "You go into the house and
put some of her things into a valise or satchel or somethin'. And hurry