This was a leading question, and the Captain was more embarrassed than
ever. However, he felt that something had to be done and that it was
wisest to get it over with as soon as possible.

"Well, ma'am," he said, "we--we got your letter all right, and, to tell
you the truth, we was at the depot--Perez and me and Jerry."

"You WAS! Well, then, for the land of goodness, why didn't you let me
know it? Such a time as I had tryin' to find out where you lived and
all!"

The Captain saw but one plausible explanation, and that was the plain
truth. Slowly he told the story of the colored woman and the extension
case. The widow laughed until her spectacles fell off.

"Well, there!" she exclaimed. "If that don't beat all! I don't blame
Cap'n Burgess a mite. Poor thing! I guess I'd have run, too, if I'd have
seen that darky. She was settin' right in the next seat to me, and she
had a shut-over bag consid'rable like mine, and when she got up to git
out, she took mine by mistake. I was a good deal put out about it, and
I expect I talked to her like a Dutch uncle when I caught up with her.
Dear! dear! Where is Cap'n Burgess?"

"He's shut up in a fish shanty down the road, and he's so upsot that I
dunno's he'll stir from there tonight. Jerry ain't prejudiced, but that
darky was too much for him."

And then they both laughed, the widow because of the ludicrous nature
of the affair and the Captain because of the relief that the lady's
acceptance of it afforded his mind.