So Mary, after considerable thought and indecision, did write, although Crawford’s suggestion that her letters have no word of love in them was scrupulously followed.  And so, while the summer came and went, the letters crossed and the news of the slow but certain building up of the business of Hamilton and Company was exchanged for that of Edwin Smith’s steady regaining of health and strength.

And Hamilton and Company’s business was reviving.  Even the skeptics could see the signs.  The revival began before the summer residents arrived in South Harniss, but after the latter began to come and the cottages to open, it was on in earnest.  John Keith helped to give it its first big start.  Mrs. Wyeth wrote him of Mary’s leaving her school work to go to the rescue of Shadrach and Zoeth, and the girl’s pluck and uncomplaining acceptance of the task she considered set for her made Keith’s eyes twinkle with admiration as he read the letter.  The family came early to South Harniss and this year he came with them.  One of his first acts after arrival was to stroll down to the village and enter Hamilton and Company’s store.  Mary and the partners were there, of course.  He shook hands with them cordially.

“Well, Captain,” he said, addressing Shadrach, “how is the new hand taking hold?”

Shadrach grinned.  “Hand?” he repeated.  “I don’t know’s we’ve got any new hand, Mr. Keith.  Ain’t, have we, Zoeth?”

Zoeth did not recognize the joke.  “He means Mary-’Gusta, I cal’late, Shadrach,” he said.  “She’s doin’ splendid, Mr. Keith.  I don’t know how we ever got along without her.”

“I do,” put in his partner promptly; “we didn’t, that’s how.  But, Mr. Keith, you hadn’t ought to call Mary-’Gusta a ‘hand.’  Zoeth and me are the hands aboard this craft.  She’s skipper, and engineer, and purser, and—­yes, and pilot, too.  And don’t she make us tumble up lively when she whistles!  Whew!  Don’t talk!”

“She is the boss, then, is she?” observed Keith.

“Boss!  I guess so!  She’s got us trained!  Why, I’ve got so that I jump out of bed nights and run round the room in my sleep thinkin’ she’s just hollered to me there’s a customer waitin’.  Oh, she’s a hard driver, Mary-’Gusta is.  Never had a fust mate aboard drove harder’n she does.  And it’s havin’ its effect on us, too.  Look at Zoeth!  He’s agin’ fast; he’s a year older’n he was twelve months ago.”

Keith laughed, Mary smiled, and Mr. Hamilton, judging by the behavior of the company that there was a joke somewhere on the premises, smiled too.

“You mustn’t mind Uncle Shad, Mr. Keith,” said Mary.  “He talks a great deal.”

“Talkin’s all the exercise my face gets nowadays,” declared the Captain instantly.  “She keeps me so busy I don’t get time to eat.  What do you think of the store, Mr. Keith?  Some improvement, ain’t it?”

Keith, who had already noticed the trim appearance of the store and the neat and attractive way in which the goods were displayed, expressed his hearty approval.