Cap'n Eri
by
Joseph Lincoln
Part 6 out of 6
Ralph and Elsie also shook hands with him, and said some pleasant
things. So did many others, Dr. Palmer among the number.
Altogether, the journey through the hall was a sort of triumphal
progress.
"Whew!" gasped the Captain, as they came out into the clear air and
the moonlight, "let's hope that's the last of the dime-show
bus'ness."
"Eri," whispered Mrs. Snow, "I'm so proud of you, I don't know what
to do."
And that remark was sweeter to the Captain's ears than all those
that had preceded it.
They turned into the shore road and were alone. It was a clear
winter night, fresh, white snow on the ground, not a breath of
wind, and the full moon painting land and sea dark blue and silver
white. The surf sounded faint and far off. Somewhere in the
distance a dog was barking, and through the stillness came an
occasional laugh or shout from the people going home from the hall.
"Lots of things can happen in a few months, can't they?" said Mrs.
Snow, glancing at the black shadow of the shuttered Baxter
homestead.
"They can so," replied the Captain. "Think what's happened sence
last September. I didn't know you then, and now it seems 's if I'd
always known you. John was alive then, and Elsie nor Ralph hadn't
come. Perez hadn't met Pashy neither. My! my! Everybody's
choosed partners but Jerry," he chuckled, "and Jerry looked the
most likely candidate 'long at the beginnin'. I'm glad," he added,
"that Ralph's made up his mind to stay here. We shan't lose him
nor Elsie for a few years, anyhow."
They paused at the knoll by the gate.
"Fair day to-morrer," observed the Captain, looking up at the sky.
"I hope it 'll be fair weather for us the rest of our days," said
Mrs. Snow.
"You've HAD it rough enough, that's sure. Well, I hope you'll have
a smooth v'yage, now."
The lady from Nantucket looked up into his face with a happy laugh.
"I guess I shall," she said. "I know I've got a good pilot."
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