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As she moved out the other men scrambled in.
What ails you, Seleucus, he
observed, is that youre jealous,thats all. Look here, Cal, how about my
weatherprophesyin?
Peleg was stillboastful concerning the accuracy of his
prophecy in the matter ofthe big gale. Homer and Gammon slipped and stumbled
forward. I noticed Calvin Homer up street this afternoon, said thecaptain. The
men knew it and, whatwas more important, Oaks himself seemed to realize it.
Homer did not know exactly how he was expected to reply to thisstatement.
Its
snowing again and as thick as mud outside. The men werewashing their clothes,
sweeping and scrubbing.
Twant no copperhead Democrat, Ill tell you that. And
shes set out to get him, concurred Gaius. Mygrandmother she had some of it,
too, but not so strong as I have. If she keeps on a-runnin till she gets furas
the wrist, then says I, Look out!
Bartlett ll be what they call a hero, if he
dont look out.
Reglar Bible crank,so some of the Trumet fellers tell
me.
Wallies gone out to the barn, he explained.
Supperwill be ready in just a
few minutes.
Each time a wavewent over they were obliged to cling with hands
and feet.
That wife of yours ashore, Wallie, he observed, she aint lostyou yet,
Im afraid. Troubleis nobody else believes it and we cant prove it.
Much
obliged, Capn Leary, he said, but donttrouble yourself.
Homer, watching
theexpressions of his men, had of late watched his in particular. What he heard
was sufficientlysensational to pay, in Sams estimation, for the exertion of
thetrip.
Maybe theyve got some news at the Orham Stationby this time. But heddo
as much for anybody else, if he could get somethin for himselfby doin it. Oaks
did not answer, and the question was repeated. Wallies gone out to the barn, he
explained.
I was some cruiser in my day, headded, complacently.
Im going to
tell my owners so, andeverybody else that asks me.
His chin was quivering, and,
in spite ofthe cold, there were beads of perspiration on his cheeks. Calvin
thought he must be waiting for him to speak.
He was white and shaking, but he
had not spoken, and he was rowing,after a fashion.
It was the hermit, sure
enough, and he arrived, wet and chilled,but garrulous. Mygrandmother she had
some of it, too, but not so strong as I have.
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