“Yes.  I know.  But I got all my plans laid,” he murmured, and then went slowly into the store.

There seemed to be some briskness in the after-supper trade, and Louise suspected that it was founded upon the news of her arrival at Cap’n Abe’s store.  Several of his rather tart rejoinders reached her ears as she went from kitchen to livingroom and back again.  Finally removing the apron, her task done, she seated herself with Diddimus in her lap within the radiance of the lamp and within hearing of all that was said in the store.

“No.  I dunno’s I ever did tell ye quite all my business, Joab.  Some things I missed, includin’ the list of my relations.”

“Yes, I hear tell most of these movin’ picture actresses are pretty, Miz’ Peckham.  They pick ’em for that puppose, I shouldn’t wonder.  I didn’t ask her what part she was goin’ to play—­if any.”

“Land sakes, Mandy, she’s just got here!  I ain’t no idee how long she’ll stay.  If you think there’s any danger of Milt not tendin’ to his clammin’ proper whilst she’s here you’d better send him on a cruise with Cap’n Durgin.  The Tryout sails for the Banks to-morrow, I understand.”

“No, Washy.  That was my A’nt Matildy I went away to help bury ten years ago.  She’s still dead—­an’ this ain’t her daughter.  This is my ha’f sister’s child, she that was Miriam Card.  She got married to a scientific chap that works for the government, I guess when you write to Washington for your garden seeds next spring, you better ask about him, if ye want to know more’n I can tell ye.”

“You got it right for once’t, Joab.  I do expect Cap’n Am’zon.  Mebbe to-night.  He may come over from the depot with Perry Baker—­I can’t tell.  What’ll I do with the girl?  Land sakes! ain’t Cap’n Am’zon just as much her uncle as I be?  Some o’ you fellers better stow your jaw-tackle if Cap’n Am’zon does heave to here.  For he ain’t no tame cat, like I told you.”

“You back again, Lawford Tapp?  Hi-mighty! what you forgot this time?  Fishhooks?  Goin’ fishin’, be you?  Wal, in my ‘pinion you’re throwin’ your hook into unproductive waters around here, as ye might say.  Even chummin’ won’t sarve ye. Good-night!”

After getting rid of this importunate customer, Cap’n Abe closed his door and put out his store lights—­an hour earlier than usual—­and came back to sit down with Louise.  His visage was red and determination sat on his brow.

“I snum!” he emphatically observed.  “Cardhaven folks seem bit with some kind o’ bug.  Talk ’bout curiosity!  ’Hem!  I dunno what Cap’n Am’zon’ll think of ’em.”

“I think they are funny,” Louise retorted, her laughter bubbling up again.

“Likely it looks so to you,” said Cap’n Abe.  “They’re pretty average funny I do guess to a stranger, as ye might say.  But after you’ve summered ’em and wintered ’em for twenty-odd years like I have, land sakes! the humor’s worn hi-mighty thin!”