She paused a moment and then went on.

“It’s Cap’n Jethro that makes all the trouble,” she said.  “There’s no reason in the world—­that is, no sensible reason—­why Lulie and Nelson shouldn’t be engaged to be married.  Of course he isn’t doin’ very well in a business way just now, but that’s partly from choice on Lulie’s account.  Nelse was a telegraph operator up in Brockton before the war.  When the war came he went right into the Navy and started in at the Radio School studyin’ to be a wireless operator.  Then he was taken down with the ‘flu’ and had to give up study.  Soon as he got well he went into the transport service.  Lulie, you see, was teachin’ school at Ostable, but her father’s health isn’t what it used to be and then, besides, I think she was a little worried about his spiritualism.  Jethro isn’t crazy about it, exactly, but he isn’t on an even keel on that subject, there’s no doubt about that.  So Lulie gave up teachin’ and came here to live with him.  When Nelson was mustered out he took the station agent’s job at South Wellmouth so as to be near her.  I think he doesn’t feel right to have her here alone with her father.”

“But—­ah—­she isn’t alone, is she?  I gathered that Mr.—­ah—­ Bloomer—­”

“Zach Bloomer?  Yes, he’s there, but Zach isn’t lively company, especially for a girl like Lulie.  If Jethro was taken—­well, with a fit or somethin’, Zach would probably sit down and cross those bow legs of his and moralize for an hour or so before he got ready to help pick the old man up.  Nelson knows that and so he refused two real good offers he had and took the position at the South Wellmouth depot.  But he’s studyin’ at his wireless all the time and some day—­but I’m afraid that day will be a long way off.  Cap’n Jeth is as set as the side of a stone wharf and you’d have to take him to pieces to move him.  That was another of father’s sayin’s,” she added, “that about the stone wharf.”

“Why, why is the—­ah—­why is Captain Hallet so opposed to young Howard?” asked Galusha.

“Spiritualism.  Foolishness, that’s all.  Before his wife died he was as sensible and shrewd a man as you’d care to see.  He and father were old chums and father used to ask his advice about investments and all such things.  They went into lots of deals together and generally made ’em pay, though Jethro usually made the most because he took more chances.  He must be worth twenty or thirty thousand dollars, Cap’n Jeth Hallett is.”

She spoke as if these were enormous sums.  Galusha, to whom all sums—­sums of money, that is—­were more or less alike, nodded gravely.