Who do youcallates come to keep house for
him?
Phinney and Bloomerfollowed carrying
packages.
Seleucus stared at her in bewildered
amazement.
And pretty soon we dont think of anything BUT the
work andshoving it through.
Youre goingto be needed, or I miss my guess. If I
couldnt oblige an oldchum that much Id be ashamed.
I thought the UnitedStates Life-Saving Service was
one line that was out of politics. Seleucus rose and slammed out of the room. Calvin
Homer, I want you tostay here, for a while anyhow, as Number One man of this
crew.
But now theyve put this Bartlett overus, a feller
from outside.
He handled everything all right enough, agreed the
latter; buthed ought to. The little procession wassuggestive of a funeral, so Homer
thought. Aint much use of sayin anything, is there? Bearse called Homer and the
latter notified Bartlett.
Kellogg waited a moment and then made
anotherattempt.
Now well go and giveBartlett a few points. They
were so kind and thoughtful and so ready to suggestopportunities for him to be with
his wife. Theres one thing more I might say, he went on.
The injustice of it and the bitter disappointment
were overwhelming. And keep a sharper lookout when you comeover these shoals next
time. Now well go and giveBartlett a few points.
I shall count on every one of you to do yourbest
for the new keeper and for me. We ought to stick by the boat closer than
ever.
And I dont believeyoull lose out in the long
run.
He had been thinkingaloud and the last sentence had
slipped by his guard. Thediscontent and undercurrent of rebellion were just as
evident atbreakfast.
Seleucus rose and slammed out of the room. If I
couldnt oblige an oldchum that much Id be ashamed. And, in a way, the men did appear
to be forgetting it. I guess likely youre surprised to see me comin here to live,she
said.
I didnt think youd be interested in seconds. Homer
had said more than he meant to say.
Then that door was flung open andHezekiah Rogerss
voice was raised in delighted announcement.
Twas the papers and the politicians that did
usboth.
And if youtake my advice youll stop growling and
whispering and behaveyourselves.
Longs Ive got a husbandI wouldnt mind bein sure
that he was alive. And when Capn Bartlett gets here give him as fair a show asyou
would have given me.
What are youinterferin with my affairs for?
Duringthese calls Seleucus said little, but his conversation was notmissed.