第87章 IN WHICH A RECEPTION IS CALLED OFF(2)
Here,after a month's wait,he found opportunity to leave for New York on an American ship,the Stars and Stripes.And finally,after being away from home for two years,he walked into the office of his New York owners,deposited their gold on a table,and cheerfully observed,Well,here I am.That was the yarn which Trumet was to hear later on.It filled columns of the city papers at the time,and those interested may read it,in all its details,in a book written by an eminent author.The tale of a Cape Cod sea captain,plucky and resourceful and adequate,as Yankee sea captains were expected to be,and were,in those days.
But Trumet did not hear the yarn immediately.All that it heard and all that it knew was contained in Captain Nat's brief telegram.
Arrived to-day.Will be home Thursday.That was all,but it was enough,for in that dispatch was explosive sufficient to blow to atoms the doctor's plans and Keziah's,the great scheme which was to bring happiness to John Ellery and Grace Van Horne.
Dr.Parker heard it,while on his way to Mrs.Prince's,and,neglecting that old lady for the once,he turned his horse and drove as fast as possible to the shanty on the beach.Fast as he drove,Captain Zebedee Mayo got there ahead of him.Captain Zeb was hitching his white and ancient steed to the post as the doctor hove in sight.
By mighty!the captain exclaimed,with a sigh of relief,I'm glad enough you've come,doctor.I hated to go in there alone.
You've heard,of course.
Yes,I've heard.
Say,ain't it wonderful!I'm tickled all up one side and sorry all down t'other.Nat's a true-blue feller,and I'm glad enough that he ain't shark bait;but what about the minister and her?
She's promised to Nat,you know,and--
I know.Don't I know!I've been going over the affair and trying to see a way out ever since I heard of the telegram.Tut!tut!
I'm like you,mighty glad Hammond is safe,but it would have spared complications if he had stayed wherever he's been for a few months longer.We would have married those two in there by that time.Sartin we would.But he didn't stay.Are you goin'to tell Mr.
Ellery?
Certainly not.And I hope he hasn't been told.He's getting well fast now,but he mustn't be worried,or back he'll go again.We must see Mrs.Coffin.Keziah is our main hold.That woman has got more sense than all the rest of us put together.But it was Grace,not Keziah,who opened the shanty door in answer to their knock.She was pale and greeted them calmly,but it was evident that her calmness was the result of sheer will power.
Won't you come in,doctor?she asked.Good afternoon,Captain Mayo.Dr.Parker entered the building,but Captain Zeb remained outside,stammering that he cal'lated he'd better stay where he could keep an eye on his horse.This was such a transparent excuse that it would have been funny at any other time.No one smiled now,however.
Is--is Mrs.Coffin--er--Keziah aboard?the captain asked.
No,she isn't.She went to the parsonage a few hours ago.Mr.
Ellis brought the mail and there was a letter in it for her.She said it was important and that she must go home to see about some things.She'll be back pretty soon,I suppose.The doctor whispered her name then and she went inside,closing the door after her.Captain Zebedee sat down on the step to ponder over the new and apparently insurmountable difficulty which had arisen.As he said afterwards,The more I tried to get an observation,the thicker it got.Blamed if I could see anything but fog,but I could hear--I could hear Elkanah and his gang gigglin',ahead,astern and off both bows.Parker found his patient sleeping soundly and had not disturbed him.Returning to the living room he spoke to Grace.
Humph!he grunted,watching her from under his brows,everything seems to be all right in there.He hasn't been excited or anything like that?No.
That's good.He mustn't be.You understand that?He mustn't be told anything that will upset him.He's getting well fast and Iwant it to continue.
Yes,I understand.
Hum!Er--have you heard--Has anyone been here?Yes.I have heard.The telegram came and I answered it.You did?Well,it's a miracle and we're all thankful,of course.
Did you--er--er--
Doctor,I must go home.I mustn't stay here any longer.Why not?
You know why not.I must be at home when he comes.You must get some one to take my place.Aunt Keziah will stay,of course,and perhaps Mrs.Higgins would come,or Hannah Poundberry.She--Not if I know it.I'd as soon have a hay-cutter running in here as Hannah's tongue.I could stop a hay-cutter when it got too noisy.Well,if you must go,you must,I suppose.But stay through tomorrow,at any rate.Nat won't get here until Thursday,and I may be able to find another nurse by that time.And what Ishall say to him,motioning toward the other room,I don't know.Must you say anything?Just say that I have been called away for a few days on--on some business.Don't tell him.Don't tell him the truth,doctor,now.He is too weak and I am afraid--She stopped and turned away.The doctor watched her pityingly.
Cheer up,he said.At any rate,this is only for a little while.When the captain knows,if he's the man I take him for,he'll--She whirled like a flash.You're not going to tell him?she cried.No,no!You mustn't.You must promise me you won't.
Promise.