"Well, she hopes she is," was the deliberate answer. "Why?"

"Does she look like me?"

"Like YOU? Oh, my soul and body! Wait till you see her. What made you
ask that?"

"Oh, nothing! I was a little curious, that's all. Have you seen her, Mr.
Hazeltine?"

Ralph stammered, somewhat confusedly, that he hadn't had the pleasure.
The Captain glanced from the electrician to Miss Preston and back again.
Then he suddenly realized the situation.

"Ho! ho!" he roared, slapping his knee and rocking back and forth in his
chair. "Don't for the land's sake tell me you took Elsie here for 'Gusty
Black! Don't now! Don't!"

"He asked me if I had taken many orders," remarked the young lady
demurely.

When the general hilarity had abated a little Ralph penitently explained
that it was dark, that Captain Eri had said Miss Black was young, and
that she carried a bag.

"So I did, so I did," chuckled the Captain. "I s'pose 'twas nat'ral
enough, but, oh dear, it's awful funny! Now, Elsie, you'd ought to
feel flattered. Wait till you see 'Gusty's hat, the one she got up to
Boston."