for the sum of six dollars a week. This price was fixed only after
considerable discussion by the three mariners, for Captain Eri was
inclined to offer eight, and Captain Jerry but four.

When Ralph Hazeltine called late in the afternoon of the following day,
the dining room was so transformed that he scarcely knew it. The dust
had disappeared; the chronometer was polished till it shone; the table
was covered with a cloth that was snow-white, and everything movable had
the appearance of being in its place. Altogether, there was an evidence
of order that was almost startling.

Captain Eri came to the door in response to his knock, and grinned
appreciatively at his caller's look of wonder.

"I don't wonder you're s'prised," he said, with a chuckle. "I ain't
begun to git over it yit, myself, and Lorenzo's so shook up he ain't
been in the house sence breakfast time. He's out in the barn, keepin'
Dan'l comp'ny and waitin' for the end of the world to strike, I
cal'late."

Ralph laughed. "Mrs. Snow?" he inquired.

"Mrs. Snow," answered the Captain. "It beats all what a woman can do
when she's that kind of a woman. She's done more swabbin' decks and
overhaulin' runnin' riggin' than a new mate on a clipper. The place is
so all-fired clean that I feel like brushin' myself every time I go to
set down."

"How's Captain Baxter?" asked Hazeltine.