Mr。GabrielBearsewashappy。Theprominencegiventothis，statementisnotmeanttoimplythatGabrielwas，asageneral，rule，unhappy。Quitethecontrary;Mr。Bearse’sdispositionwasa，cheerfuloneandthecaresofthisworldhadnotroundedhisplump，shoulders。ButCaptainSamHunniwellhadoncesaid，andOrham，publicopinionagreedwithhim，thatGabeBearsewasneverhappy，unlesshewastalking。NowherewasGabriel，nottalking，but，walkingbrisklyalongtheOrhammainroad，andyetsodistinctly，happythatthehappinessshowedinhisgait，hismannerandinthe，excitedglitterofhiswateryeye。Trulyanastonishingcondition，ofthingsandtending，onewouldsay，toprovethatCaptainSam’s，didacticremark，solonglocallyacceptedandquotedasgospel，truth，hadaflawinitswisdomsomewhere。
Andyettheflawwasbutasmalloneandtheexplanationsimple。
Gabrielwasnottalkingatthatmoment，itistrue，buthewas，expectingtotalkverysoon，totalkagreatdeal。Hehadjust，comeintopossessionofanitemofnewswhichwouldfurnishhis，vocalmachinegunwithammunitionsufficientforwordyvolleyafter，volley。GabrielwasjoyfullycontemplatingpepperingallOrham，withthatbitofgossip。Nowonderhewashappy;nowonderhe，hurriedalongthemainroadlikeabatterygallopingeagerlyinto，action。
Hewasonhiswaytothepostoffice，alwaysthegossip-
sharpshooters’firstlinetrench，when，turningthecornerwhere，Nickerson’sLaneentersthemainroad，hesawsomethingwhich，causedhimtopause，alterhisbattle-madwalktoaslowerone，thentoasaunter，andfinallytoahaltaltogether。This，somethingwasatoywindmillfastenedtoawhitepicketfenceand，clatteringcheerfullyasitsarmsspuninthebrisk，pleasant，summerbreeze。
Thelittlewindmillwasoneofadozen，allfastenedtothetop，railofthatfenceandallwhirling。Behindthefence，onposts，wereotherandlargerwindmills;behindthese，otherslargerstill。
Interspersedamongthemillswerelittlewoodensailorsswinging，paddles;weathervanesintheshapesofwoodenwhales，swordfish，ducks，crows，seagulls;circlesoflittlewoodenprofilesailboats，madetochaseeachother’roundand’roundacentralpost。Allof，thesewerepaintedingaycolors，orinblackandwhite，andall，wereinmotion。Themillsspun，theboatssailed’roundand，’round，thesailorsdidvigorousIndianclubexerciseswiththeir，paddles。Thegrassinthelittleyardandthetallhollyhocksin，thebedsatitssidesswayedandbowedandnodded。Beyond，seen，overtheedgeofthebluffandstretchingtothehorizon，theblue，andwhitewavesleapedanddancedandsparkled。Asapictureof，movementandcolorandjoyfulbustlethescenewasinspiring;
children，viewingitforthefirsttime，almostinvariablydanced，andwavedtheirarmsinsympathy。Summervisitors，loiteringidly，by，suddenlybecamefiredwiththedesiretosetaboutdoing，something，somethingenergetic。
GabrielBearsewasnotasummervisitor，buta“native，“thatis，anall-the-year-roundresidentofOrham，and，ashisfellownatives，wouldhavecheerfullytestified，ittookmuchmorethanwindmills，toarouseHISenergy。Hehadnothaltedtolookatthemills。He，hadstoppedbecausethesightofthemrecalledtohismindthefact，thatthemakerofthesemillswasafriendofoneofthemenmost，concernedinhisbrandnewnewsitem。Itwaspossible，barely，possible，thatherewasanopportunitytolearnjustalittlemore，toobtainanadditionalclipofcartridgesbeforeopeningfireon，thecrowdatthepostoffice。Certainlyitmightbeworthtrying，particularlyastheafternoonmailwouldnotbereadyforanother，hour，evenifthetrainwasontime。
Attherearofthelittleyard，andsituatedperhapsfiftyfeet，fromtheedgeofthehighsandbluffleadingdownprecipitouslyto，thebeach，wasashingledbuilding，whitewashed，andwithadoor，paintedgreen，andfourwindowsonthesidetowardtheroad。A
clamshellwalkledfromthegatetothedoors。Overthedoorwasa，sign，veryneatlylettered，asfollows：“J。EDGARW。WINSLOW。
MILLSFORSALE。”，Inthelotnexttothat，wherethelittleshop，stood，wasasmall，old-fashionedstory-and-a-halfCapeCodhouse，paintedaspecklesswhite，withvividgreenblinds。Theblinds，wereshutnow，forthehousewasunoccupied。Houseandshopand，bothyardswereneatandcleanasaNewEnglandkitchen。
GabrielBearse，afteramoment’sreflection，openedthegateinthe，picketfenceandwalkedalongtheclamshellwalktotheshopdoor。
Openingthedoor，heentered，abellattachedtothetopofthe，doorjinglingashedidso。TheroomwhichMr。Bearseenteredwas，crowdedfromfloortoceiling，saveforanarrowpassage，withhit-
or-missstacksofthewoodentoysevidentlyfinishedandreadyfor，shipment。Threadinghiswaybetweentheheapsofsailors，mills，vanesandboats，Gabrielcametoadoorevidentlyleadingto，anotherroom。Therewasasigntackedtothisdoor，whichread，“PRIVATE，“butMr。Bearsedidnotletthattroublehim。Hepushed，thedooropen。
Thesecondroomwasevidentlythework-shop。Therewereacircular，sawandaturninglathe，withtheneedfulbelts，andasmall，electricmotortofurnishpower。Alsotherewerepilesoflumber，shelvesofpaintpotsandbrushes，manyshavingsandmuchsawdust。
And，standingbesideadilapidatedchairfromwhichhehad，evidentlyrisenatthesoundofthedoorbell，withadripping，paintbrushinonehandandawoodensailorintheother，therewas，aman。Whenhesawwhohisvisitorwashesatdownagain。
Hewasatallmanand，asthechairhesatinwasalowoneandthe，heelsofhislargeshoeswerehookedoveritslowerrounds，his，kneesandshoulderswereclosetogetherwhenhebentoverhiswork。
Hewasathinmanandhistrousershungabouthisankleslikea，loosesailonayard。Hishairwasthickandplentiful，abrown，sprinkledwithgrayatthetemples。Hisfacewassmooth-shaven，withwrinklesatthecornersoftheeyesandmouth。Hewore，spectaclesperchedattheveryendofhisnose，andlookeddown，overratherthanthroughthemashedippedthebrushinthecanof，paintbesidehimonthefloor。
“Hello，Shavin’s，“hailedMr。Bearse，blithely。
Thetallmanappliedthebrushtothenudepinelegsofthewooden，sailor。Onesideofthoselegsweremodestlycoveredforthwithby，apairofsky-bluebreeches。Theartistregardedthebreeches，dreamily。Thenhesaid：
“Hello，Gab。”
Hisvoicewasadrawl，verydeliberate，veryquiet，rathersoftand，pleasant。ButMr。Bearsewasnotpleased。
“Don’tcallmethat，“hesnapped。
Thebrushwasagaindippedinthepaintpotandtherearelevation，ofthepinesailorbecamesky-blueliketheothersideofhim。
Thenthetallmanasked：
“Callyouwhat？”
“Gab。That’sadivilofanametocallanybody。LasttimeIwas，inhereCap’nSamHunniwellheardyoucallmethatandIcal’lated，he’ddielaughin’。Seemedtocal’latetherewassomethin’
speciallydumfunnyaboutit。Idon’tcallitfunny。Say，speakin’ofCap’nSam，haveyouheardthenewsabouthim？”
Heaskedthequestioneagerly，becauseitwasapartofwhathe，cametheretoask。Hiseagernesswasnotcontagious。Themanon，thechairputdownthebluebrush，tookupafreshone，dippedit，inanotherpaintpotandproceededtogarbanothersectionofhis，sailorinaspotlesswhiteshirt。Mr。Bearsegrewimpatient。
“HaveyouheardthenewsaboutCap’nSam？”herepeated。”Say，Shavin’s，haveyou？”
Thepaintingwentserenelyon，butthepainteranswered。
“Well，Gab，“hedrawled，“I——“
“Don’tcallmeGab，Itellyou。’Tain’tmyname。”
“Sho！，Ain’tit？”
“Youknowwellenough’tain’t。Myname’sGabriel。Callmethat——
orGabe。Idon’tliketobecalledoutofmyname。Butsay，Shavin’s——“
“Well，Gab，sayit。”
“Lookhere，JedWinslow，doyouhearme？”
“Yes，hearyoufustrate，Gabe——now。”
Mr。Bearse’sunderstandingwasnoteasilypenetrated;ahint，usuallyglancedfromitlikeapieceofsoapfromaslantingcellar，door，butthistimethespeaker’stoneandtheemphasisonthe，“now“madeaslightdent。Gabriel’seyesopened。
“Huh？”hegruntedinastonishment，asifthepossibilityhadnever，untilthatmomentoccuredtohim。”Why，say，Jed，don’tyoulike，tobecalled’Shavin’s’？”
Noanswer。Abluecollarwasaddedtothewhiteshirtofthe，sailor。
“Don’tyou，Jed？”repeatedGabe。
Mr。Winslow’sgazewasliftedfromhisworkandhiseyesturned，momentarilyinthedirectionofhiscaller。
“Gabe，“hedrawled，“didyoueverhearaboutthefellerthatwas，bornstonedeefandtheDoxology？”
“Eh？，What——，No，Ineverheardit。”
TheeyesturnedbacktothewoodensailorandMr。Winslowchose，anotherbrush。
“Neitherdidhe，“heobserved，andbegantowhistlewhatsounded，likeadirge。
Mr。Bearsestaredathimforatleastaminute。Thenheshookhis，head。
“Well，byJudas！”heexclaimed。”I——I——IsnumifIdon’tthinkyou，BEcrazy，sameassomefolkssayyouare！，Whatinthenationhas——
hasyournamegottodowithadeefmanandtheDoxology？”
“Eh？……Oh，nothin’。”
“Thenwhatdidyoubustlooseandtellmeabout’emfor？，They，wan’tanyofMYbusiness，wasthey？”
“No-o。That’swhyIspokeof’em。”
“What？，Youspokeof’em’causetheywan’tanyofmybusiness？”
“Ye-es……Ithoughtmaybe——“Hepaused，turnedthesailorover，inhishand，whistledafewmorebarsofthedirgeandthen，finishedhissentence。”Ithoughtmaybeyoumightliketoask，questionsabout’em，“heconcluded。
Mr。Bearsestaredsuspiciouslyathiscompanion，swallowedseveral，timesand，betweenswallows，startedtospeak，buteachtimegave，itup。Mr。Winslowappearedquiteobliviousofthestare。His，brushesgavethewoodensailorblackhair，eyesandbrows，andan，engagingcrimsonsmile。WhenGabrieldidspeakitwasnot，concerningnames。
“Say，Jed，“hecried，“HAVEyouheardaboutCap’nSamHunniwell？
’Bouthisbein’putontheExemptionBoard？”
Hiscompanionwentonwhistling，buthenodded。
“Um-hm，“gruntedGabe，grudgingly。”Ipresumedlikelyyouwould，hear;hetoldyouhimself，Ical’late。SethBakersaidheseehim，comeinherenightaforelastandIsupposethat’swhenhetold，you。Didn’tsaynothin’else，didhe？”headded，eagerly。
AgainMr。Winslownodded。
“Didhe？，Didhe？，Whatelsedidhesay？”
Thetallmanseemedtoconsider。
“Well，“hedrawled，atlength，“seemstomeIrememberhimsayin’——
sayin’——“
“Yes？，Yes？，Whatdidhesay？”
“Well——er——seemstomehesaidgoodnightjustaforehewenthome。”
ThedisappointedGabriellostpatience。”Oh，youDIVILISHfool，head！”heexclaimed，disgustedly。”Lookhere，JedWinslow，talk，senseforaminute，ifyoucan，won’tyou？，I’vejustheard，somethin’that’sgoin’tomakeabigrowinthistownandit’sgot，todowithCap’nSam’sbein’app’intedonthatGov’mentExemption，Boardfordraftedfolks。Ifyou’dheardPhineasBabbittgoin’on，thewayIdone，Iguesslikelyyou’dhavebeeninterested。”
Itwasplainthat，forthefirsttimesincehiscallerintruded，uponhisprivacy，themakerofmillsandsailorsWASinterested。
Hedidnotputdownhisbrush，butheturnedhisheadtolookand，listen。Bearse，pleasedwiththissymptomofattention，wenton。
“IwasjustintoPhineas’store，“hesaid，“andhewasthere，soI
hadachancetotalkwithhim。He’sbeenuptoBostonandnever，gotbacktillthisafternoon，soIcal’latedmaybehehadn’theard，aboutCap’nSam’sapp’intment。AndIknew，too，howhedoeshate，theCap’n;ain’thadnothin’butcusswordsandsuchnamesforhim，eversinceSamdonehimoutofgettin’thepostmaster’sjob。
Prettymeantrick，somefolkscallit，but——“
Mr。Winslowinterrupted;hisdrawlwasatriflelessevident。
“CongressmanTayloraskedSamforthetruthregardin’Phineasanda，certainmatter，“hesaid。”Samtoldthetruth，that’sall。”
“Well，maybethat’sso，butdoestellin’thetruthaboutfolksmake，’emloveyou？，Idon’tknowasitdoes。”
Winslowappearedtomeditate。
“No-o，“heobserved，thoughtfully，“Idon’tsupposeyoudo。”
“No，I……Eh？，Whatdoyoumeanbythat？，Lookhere，Jed，Winslow，if——“
Jedheldupabighand。”There，there，Gabe，“hesuggested，mildly。”Let’shearaboutSamandPhinBabbitt。WhatwasPhineas，goin’onaboutwhenyouwasinhisstore？”
Mr。Bearseforgotpersonalgrievanceinhiseagernesstotellthe，story。
“Why，“hebegan，“yousee，’twaslikethis：’Twasallonaccountof，Leander。Leander’sbeendrafted。Youknowthat，ofcourse？”
Jednodded。LeanderBabbittwasthesonofPhineasBabbitt，Orham’sdealerinhardwareandlumberandaleadingpoliticalboss。
BetweenBabbitt，Senior，andCaptainSamHunniwell，thelatter，PresidentoftheOrhamNationalBankandalsoavigorous，politician，thedislikehadalwaysbeenstrong。Sincetheaffair，ofthepostmastershipithadbecome，onBabbitt’spart，anintense，hatred。DuringtheweekjustpastyoungBabbitt’snamehadbeen，drawnasoneofOrham’squotaforthenewNationalArmy。The，villagewasstilltalkingofthedraftwhenthenewscamethat，CaptainHunniwellhadbeenselectedasamemberoftheExemption，Boardforthedistrict，theBoardwhichwastoholditssessionsat，Ostableandlistentothepleasofthosedesiringtobeexcused，fromservice。NotallofOrhamknewthisasyet。JedWinslowhad，heardit，fromCaptainSamhimself。GabeBearsehadheardit，becausehemadeithisbusinesstoheareverything，whetherit，concernedhimornot——preferablynot。
ThewarhadcometoOrhamwiththeunbelievableunrealitywith，whichithadcometothegreatmassofthecountry。Eversincethe，newsofthedescentofvonKluck’shordesupondevotedBelgium，in，thefallof1914，thedeathgrappleinEuropehad，ofcourse，been，theprincipaltopicofdiscussionatthepostofficeandaroundthe，whisttablesattheSetuckitClub，whereancientandretired，marinersmetandpoundedtheirownandeachother’skneeswhile，theyexpressedsulphurousopinionsconcerningtheattitudeofthe，PresidentandCongress。Theseopinionswere，asausualthing，guidedbythefactoftheirholders’allegiancetooneortheother，ofthegreatpoliticalparties。CaptainSamHunniwell，alifelong，andardentRepublican，withatemperaspepperyasthechilecon，carneuponwhich，whencommanderofasteamfreightertradingwith，Mexico，hehadfeastedsooften——CaptainSamwouldhavehoistedthe，StarsandStripestothemastheadthedaytheLusitaniasankand，puttoseainadory，ifneedbe，andarmedonlywithashotgun，to，avengethatoutrage。TohearCaptainSamorateconcerningthe，neglectofdutyofwhichheconsideredtheUnitedStatesgovernment，guiltywasanexperience，interestingorshocking，accordingtothe，driftofone’spoliticalorreligiouscreed。
PhineasBabbitt，onthecontrary，hadatfirstupheldthepolicyof，strictneutrality。”Whatbusinessisitofoursifthemfurriners，taketoslaughterin’themselves？”hewantedtoknow。Hehotly，declaredtheLusitaniavictimsplagueyfoolswhoknewwhatthey，wereriskin’whentheysailedandhadgotjustwhatwascomin’to，’em——thatis，hewasproclaimingitwhenCaptainSamheardhim;
afterthatthecaptainissuedaproclamationofhisownandwas，proceedingtofollowwordswithdeeds。Theaffairendedbymutual，acquaintancesleadingCaptainSamfromtheBabbittHardware，Company’sstore，thecaptainrumblinglikeavolcanoand，tofollow，upthesimile，stillemittingverbalbrimstoneandmoltenlava，whileMr。Babbitt，entrenchedbehindhiscounter，withamonkey，wrenchinhishand，daredhisadversarytolayhandsonalaw-
abidingcitizen。
WhentheKaiserandvonTirpitzissuedtheirfinalultimatum，however，andthePresidentcalledAmericatoarms，Phineas，in，companywithothersofhisbreed，appearedtohaveexperienceda，changeofheart。Atalleventshekepthisanti-waropinionsto，himselfand，exceptthathishatredforthecaptainwasmore，virulentthaneversincetheaffairofthepostmastership，hefound，littlefaultwiththewarpreparationsinthevillage，the，organizingofaHomeGuard，theraisingoffundsforanewflagand，flagpoleandtherecruitingmeetinginthetownhall。
AtthatmeetingahalfdozenofOrham’sbestyoungfellowshad，expressedtheirdesiretofightforUncleSam。TheOrhamband——
minusitsfirstcornet，whowashimselfoneofthevolunteers——had，serenadedthemattherailwaystationandtheCongregational，ministerandLawyerPoundberryoftheBoardofSelectmenhadmade，speeches。CaptainSamHunniwell，beingcalledupontosayafew，words，hadsaidafew——perhaps，consideringthefeelingsofthe，ministerandthefemininemembersofhisflockpresent，itiswell，theywerenotmorenumerous。
“Goodlucktoyou，boys，“saidCaptainSam。”Iwishtothe，AlmightyIwasyoungenoughtogowithyou。Andsay，ifyousee，thatKaiseranywheresafloatorashoregivehimparticularmerry，hellforme，willyou？”
Andthen，alittlelater，camethenewsthattheconscriptionbill，hadbecomealawandthatthedraftwastobeareality。Andwith，thatnewsthewaritselfbecamealittlemorereal。And，suddenly，PhineasBabbitt，realizingthathisson，Leander，wastwenty-five，yearsoldand，therefore，withinthelimitsofthedraftage，becameoncemoreanardent，ifalittlemorecareful，conscientious，objector。
Hediscoveredthatthewarwasaprofiteeringenterpriseengineered，bycapitalandgreedfortheexploitingoflaborandthecommon，people。Wheneverhethoughtitsafetodosoheairedthese，opinionsand，astherewereafewofwhatCaptainHunniwellcalled，“yellow-backedswabs“inOrhamoritsneighborhood，heoccasionally，hadsympatheticlisteners。Phineas，itisonlyfairtosay，had，neverheretoforeshownanymarkedinterestinlaborexcepttoget，asmuchofitforaslittlemoneyaspossible。Ifhisson，Leander，sharedhisfather’sopinions，hedidnotexpressthem。In，facthesaidverylittle，workingsteadilyinthestorealldayand，appearingtohavesomethingonhismind。Mostpeopleliked，Leander。
ThencamethedraftandLeanderwasdrafted。Hesaidverylittle，aboutit，buthisfathersaidagreatdeal。Theboyshouldnotgo;
theaffairwasanoutrage。Leanderwasn’tstrong，anyway;besides，wasn’thehisfather’sprincipalsupport？，Hecouldn’tbespared，that’salltherewasaboutit，andheshouldn’tbe。Therewas，goingtobeanExemptionBoard，wasn’tthere？，Allright——justwait，untilhe，Phineas，wentbeforethatboard。Hehadn’tbeenin，politicsalltheseyearsfornothin’。SamHunniwellhadn’tgotall，thepulltherewasinthecounty。
AndthenCaptainSamwasappointedamemberofthatveryboard。He，haddroppedinatthewindmillshoptheveryeveningwhenhe，decidedtoacceptandtoldJedWinslowallaboutit。Therenever，weretwopeoplemoreunlikethanSamHunniwellandJedWinslow，but，theyhadbeenfastfriendssinceboyhood。JedknewthatPhineas，BabbitthadbeenonatriptoBostonand，therefore，hadnotheard，ofthecaptain’sappointment。Now，accordingtoGabrielBearse，he，hadreturnedandhadheardofit，andaccordingtoBearse’sexcited，statementhehad“goneon“aboutit。
“Leander’sbeendrafted，“repeatedGabe。”Andthatwasbadenough，forPhineas，hebein’downonthewar，anyhow。Buthe’sbeen，cal’latin’，Ical’late，tousehispoliticalpulltogetLeander，exemptedoff。Nineboardsoutoften，ifthey’dhadamanfrom，Orhamon’em，wouldhavegonebywhatthatmansaidinacaselike，Leander’s。AndPhineas，hewasmovin’heavensandearthtogetone，ofhisfriendsputonastherightOrhamman。Andnow——NOW，by，godfreysdomino，they’veputontheONEmanthatPhincan’t，influence，thathatesPhinworsethanacathatesaswim。Oh，you，oughttoheardPhineasgoonwhenItoldhim。He’djustgotoff，thetrain，asyoumightsay，sonobody’dhadachancetotellhim。
Iwasthefustone，yousee。So——“
“WasLeanderthere？”
“No，hewan’t。Therewan’tnobodyinthestorebutSusieEllis，thatkeepsthebookstherenow，andAbnerBurgess’sboy，thatruns，errandsandwaitsonfolkswheneverybodyelseisbusy。Thatwasa，funnything，too——thataboutLeander’snotbein’there。Susiesaid，shehadn’tseenhimsincejustafterbreakfasttime，halfpast，seveno’clockorso，andwhenshetelephonedtheBabbitthouseit，turnedouthehadn’tbeenthere，neither。Hadhisbreakfastand，wentout，hedid，andthat’sallhisstep-maknewabouthim。But，Phineas，he……Eh？，Ain’tthatthebell？，Customer，Ipresume，likely。Wantmetogoseewho’tis，Shavin’s——Jed，Imean？”
CHAPTERII
ButthepersonwhohadenteredtheoutershopsavedMr。Bearsethe，trouble。He，too，disregardedthe“Private“signonthedoorof，theinnerroom。BeforeGabrielcouldreachitthatdoorwasthrown，openandthenewcomerentered。Hewasabigman，gray-mustached，withhairagrizzledred，andwithblueeyessetinafloridface。
Thehandwhichhadopenedthedoorlookedbigandpowerfulenough，tohaveknockedaholeinit，ifsuchaprocedurehadbeen，necessary。Anditsownerlookedquitecapableofdoingit，ifhe，deemeditnecessary，infacthelookedasifhewouldratherhave，enjoyedit。Hesweptintotheroomlikeanorthwestbreeze，and，twobundlesofwoodenstrips，cuttothesizeofmillarms，clatteredtothefloorashedidso。
“Hello，Jed！”hehailed，inavoicewhichmeasureduptotherest，ofhim。Then，noticingMr。Bearseforthefirsttime，headded：
“Hello，Gabe，whatareyoudoin’here？”
Gabrielhastenedtoexplain。Hishabitualdesiretopleaseand，humoreachpersonhemet——eachpersonofconsequence，thatis;very，poorpeopleorvillageeccentricslikeJedWinslowdidnotmuch，matter，ofcourse——wasinthiscaseaugmentedbyaparticular，desiretopleaseCaptainSamHunniwell。CaptainSam，beingoneof，Orham’smostinfluentialmen，wasnot，inMr。Bearse’sestimation，atallthesortofpersonwhomitwasadvisabletodisplease。He，might——anddid——talkdisparaginglyofhimbehindhisback，ashe，didbehindthebackofeveryoneelse，buthesmiledhumblyand，spokesoftlyinhispresence。Theconsciousnessofhavingjust，beentalkingofhim，however，ofhavingvisitedthatshopforthe，expresspurposeoftalkingabouthim，madetheexplainingprocessa，trifleembarrassing。
“Oh，howd’yedo，howd’yedo，Cap’nHunniwell？”stammeredGabriel。
“Niceday，ain’tit，sir？，Yes，sir，’tisaniceday。Iwasjust——
er——thatis，IjustrunintoseeShavin’shere;tomakealittle，call，youknow。Wewasjustsettin’heretalkin’，wan’twe，Shavin’s——Jed，Imean？”
Mr。Winslowstoodhiscompletedsailormaninaracktodry。
“Ya-as，“hedrawled，solemnly，“thatwasaboutit，Iguess。Havea，chair，Sam，won’tyou？……Thatwasaboutit，wewassittin’and，talkin’……Iwassittin’andGab——Gabe，Imean——wastalkin’。”
CaptainSamchuckled。AsWinslowandMr。Bearsewereoccupyingthe，onlytwochairsintheroomheacceptedtheinvitationinitsbroad，senseand，turninganemptyboxuponend，satdownonthat。
“SoGabewastalkin’，eh？”herepeated。”Well，that’ssingular。
How’dthathappen，Gabe？”
Mr。Bearselookedratherfoolish。”Oh，wewasjust——justtalkin’
about——er——thisandthat，“hesaid，hastily。”Justthisandthat，nothin’partic’lar。Cal’lateI’llhavetoberunnin’alongnow，Jed。”
JedWinslowselectedanewandunpaintedsailorfromthepilenear，him。Heeyeditdreamily。
“Well，Gabe，“heobserved，“ifyoumust，youmust，Isuppose。
Seemstomeyou’releavin’atthemostinterestin’time。We’ve，beentalkin’aboutthisandthat，sameasyousay，andnowyou’re，leavin’justas’this’hasgothere。Maybeifyouwait——wait——a——“
Thesentencediedawayintonothingness。Hehadtakenupthebrush，whichheusedforthebluepaint。Therewasaloosebristleinit。
Hepulledthisoutandoneortwomorecamewithit。
“Hu-um！”hemused，absently。
CaptainSamwastiredofwaiting。
“Come，finishherout，Jed——finishherout，“heurged。”What’sthe，restofit？”
“Ical’lateI’llrunalongnow，“saidMr。Bearse，nervouslymoving，towardthedoor。
“Holdonaminute，“commandedthecaptain。”Jedhadn’tfinished，whathewassayin’toyou。Hegenerallytalkslikeoneofthose，continued-in-our-nextyarnsinthemagazines。Giveusthe，Septemberinstallment，Jed——come。”
Mr。Winslowsmiled，aslow，whimsicalsmilethatlituphislean，brownfaceandthenpassedawayasslowlyasithadcome，lingering，foraninstantatonecornerofhismouth。
“Oh，Iwasjusttellin’Gabethatthe’this’hewastalkin’about，washerenow，“hesaid，“andthatmaybeifhewaitedaspacethe，’that’wouldcome，too。SeemstomeifIwasyou，Gabe，I’d——“
ButMr。Bearsehadgone。
CaptainHunniwellsnorted。”Humph！”hesaid;“IjudgelikelyI’m，the’this’youandthatgasbaghavebeentalkin’about。Who’sthe，’that’？”
HiscompanionwasgazingabsentlyatthedoorthroughwhichGabriel，hadmadehishurrieddeparture。Aftergazingatitinsilencefor，amoment，herosefromthechair，unfoldingsectionbysectionlike，apocketrule，and，crossingtheroom，openedthedoorandtook，fromitsothersidetheletteredsign“Private“whichhadhung，there。Then，withtacksandahammer，heproceededtoaffixthe，placardtotheinnersideofthedoor，thatfacingtheroomwhere，heandCaptainSamwere。Thecaptainregardedthisoperationwith，hugeastonishment。
“Graciousking！”heexclaimed。”Whatinthunderareyoudoin’that，for？，Thisistheprivateroominhere，ain’tit？”
Mr。Winslow，returningtohischair，nodded。
“Ya-as，“headmitted，“that’swhyI’mputtin’the’Private’signon，thissideofthedoor。”
“Yes，but——，Why，confoundit，anybodywhoseesittherewillthink，itistheotherroomthat’sprivate，won’tthey？”
Jednodded。”I’minhopestheywill，“hesaid。
“You’reinhopestheywill！，Why？”
“’CauseifGabeBearsethinksthatroom’sprivateandthathedon’t，belongtherehe’llbesartinsuretogothere;thenmaybehe’ll，givemearest。”
Heselectedanewbrushandwentonwithhispainting。Captain，Hunniwelllaughedheartily。Then，allatonce，hislaughterceased，andhisfaceassumedatroubledexpression。
“Jed，“heordered，“leaveoffdaubin’atthatwoodendollbabyfor，aminute，willyou？，Iwanttotalktoyou。Iwanttoaskyouwhat，youthinkI’dbetterdo。IknowwhatGabBearse——，Muchobliged，forthatname，Jed;’Gab’s’thebestnameonearthforthat，critter——IknowwhatGabcameinheretotalkabout。’Twasabout，meandmybein’putontheExemptionBoard，ofcourse。Thatwas，it，wan’tit？，Um-hm，Iknew’twas。Iwasthe’this’inhis’this，andthat。’，AndPhinBabbittwasthe’that’;I’llbetonit。AmI
right？”
Winslownodded。
“Surething！”continuedthecaptain。”Well，there’tis。WhatamI
goin’todo？，Whentheywantedmetotakethejobinthefirst，placeIkindofhesitated。YouknowIdid。’Twasboundtobeone，ofthosethanklesssortofjobsthatgetafellerintotrouble，boundtobe。Andyet——andyet——well，SOMEBODYhastotakethose，kindofjobs。Andamanhadn’toughttotalkallthetimeabout，howhewisheshecoulddosomethin’tohelphiscountry，andthen，laydownandquitonthefirstchancethatcomeshisway，just，’causethatchanceain’t——ain’teatin’upallthepieinthestate，sotheGermanscan’tgetit，orsomethin’likethat。Ain’tthat，so？”
“Seemssotome，Sam。”
“Yes。Well，soIsaidI’dtakemyExemptionBoardjob。ButwhenI
saidI’dacceptit，itdidn’trunacrossmymindthatLeander，Babbittwasliabletobedrafted，firstcrackoutofthebox。Now，heISdrafted，and，ifIknowPhinBabbitt，theoldmanwillbe，downonusBoardfellersthefirstthingtogettheboyexempted。
AND，Ibein’ontheBoardandhailin’fromhisowntown，Orham，here，itwouldnaturallybetomethathe’dcomefirst。Eh？
That’swhathe’dnaturallydo，ain’tit？”
Hisfriendnoddedoncemore。CaptainSamlostpatience。
“Graciousking！”heexclaimed。”JedWinslow，forthundersakessay，somethin’！，Don’tsettherebobbin’yourheadupanddownlikeone，ofthosewound-upimagesinaChristmas-timestorewindow。Iask，youifthatain’twhatPhinBabbittwoulddo？，Whatwouldyoudoif，youwasinhisshoes？”
Jedrubbedhischin。
“Stepoutof’em，Iguesslikely，“hedrawled。
“Humph！，Yes——well，anyself-respectin’personwoulddothat，even，ifhehadtogobarefootedtherestofhislife。But，whatI’m，gettin’atisthis：Babbitt’llcometomeorderin’metoget，Leanderexempted。Andwhat’llIsay？”
Winslowturnedandlookedathim。
“Seemstome，Sam，“heanswered，“thatifthatthinghappened，there’dbeonlyonethingtosay。You’djusthavetotellhimthat，you’dlistentohisreasonsandiftheyseemedgoodenoughtolet，theboyoff，foryourpartyou’dvotetolethimoff。Ifthey，didn’tseemgoodenough——why——“
“Well——what？”
“Why，thenLeander’dhavetogotowarandhisdadcouldgoto——“
“Eh？，Goon。Iwanttohearyousayit。Wherecouldhego？”
Jedwipedthesurpluspaintfromhisbrushontheedgeofthecan。
“Tosellin’hardware，“heconcluded，gravely，butwithatwinklein，hiseye。
CaptainSamsniffed，perhapsindisappointment。”Hishardware’d，meltwhereI’Dtellhimtogo，“hedeclared。”Whatyousayisall，right，Ed。It’saneasydoctrinetopreach，but，likelotsof，otherpreacher’sdoctrines，it’shardtoliveupto。Phinlovesme，likeastep-brotherandIlovehimthesameway。Well，nowherehe，comestoaskmetodoafavorforhim。IfIdon’tdoit，he’ll，say，andthewholetown’llsay，thatI’mventin’myspiteonhim，keepin’onwithmygrudge，bein’nasty，cussed，everythingthat’s，mean。IfIdodoit，ifIletLeanderoff，allhands’llsaythatI
diditbecauseIwasafraidofPhineasandtherestwouldsaythe，otherthing。Itputsmeinadevilofaposition。It’sallright，tosay，’Doyourduty，’’Standupinyourshoes，’’Dowhatyou，think’sright，nevermindwhoseboy’tis，’andallthat，butI
wouldn’thavethatoldskunkgoin’aroundsayin’Itookadvantage，ofmypositiontorobhimofhissonforanythingonearth。I
despisehimtoomuchtogivehimthatmuchsatisfaction。Andyet，thereIam，andthecase’llcomeupaforeme。What’llIdo，Jed？
ShallIresign？，Helpmeout。I’maboutcrazy。ShallIheaveup，thejob？，ShallIquit？”
Jedputdownthebrushandthesailorman。Herubbedhischin。
“No-o，“hedrawled，afteramoment。
“Oh，Ishan’t，eh？，Whynot？”
“’Causeyoudon’tknowhow，Sam。Italwaysseemedtomethatit，tookalotofpracticetobeaquitter。Youneverpracticed。”
“Thanks。Allright，then，I’mtohangon，Isuppose，andtakemy，medicine。Ifthat’salltheadviceyou’vegottogiveme，Imight，aswellhavestayedathome。ButItellyouthis，JedWinslow：If，I’drealized——ifI’dthoughtabouttheLeanderBabbittcasecomin’
upaforemeonthatBoardIneverwouldhaveacceptedthe，appointment。WhenyouandIweretalkin’heretheothernightit’s，queerthatneitherofusthoughtofit……Eh？，Whatareyou，lookinatmelikethatfor？，Youdon’tmeantotellmethatYOUDID
thinkofit？，Didyou？”
Winslownodded。
“Yes，“hesaid。”Ithoughtofit。”
“YouDID！，Well，Iswear！，Thenwhyinthunderdidn’tyou——“
Hewasinterrupted。Thebellattachedtothedooroftheouter，shoprang。Themakerofwindmillsrosejerkilytohisfeet。
CaptainSammadeagestureofimpatience。
“Getridofyourcustomerandcomebackheresoonasyoucan，“he，ordered。Havingcommandedasteamerbeforehelefttheseaand，becomeabanker，thecaptainusuallyorderedratherthanrequested。
“Hurryallyoucan。Iain’thalfthroughtalkin’withyou。For，thelandsakes，MOVE！，Ofallthedeliberate，slowtravelin’——“
Hedidnotfinishhissentence，nordidWinslow，whohadstarted，towardthedoor，havetimetoreachit。Thedoorwasopenedanda，short，thicksetman，withaleatheryfaceandabristlingyellow-
whitechinbeard，burstintotheroom。Atthesightofits，occupantsheutteredagruntofsatisfactionandhisbushybrows，weredrawntogetherabovehislittleeyes，thelatterawashed-out，grayandsetveryclosetogether。
“Humph！”hesnarled，vindictively。”SoyouBEhere。GabeBearse，saidyouwas，butIthoughtprobablyhewaslyin’，asusual。Did，helieabouttheotherthing，that’swhatI’vecomeheretofind，out？，SamHunniwell，haveyoubeenputonthatDraftExemption，Board？”
“Yes，“hesaid，curtly，“Ihave。”
Themantrembledallover。
“Youhave？”hecried，raisinghisvoicealmosttoascream。
“Yes，Ihave。What’sitmattertoyou，PhinBabbitt？，Seemsto，havehetyouupsome，thatorsomethin’else。”
“Hetmeup！，By——“Mr。PhineasBabbittsworesteadilyforafull，minute。WhenhestoppedforbreathJedWinslow，whohadstepped，overandwaslookingoutofthewindow，utteredanobservation。
“I’mafraidImadeamistake，changin’thatsign，“hesaid，musingly。”Ical’lateI’llmakeanother：’Prayermeetin’smustbe，heldoutside。’“
“By——，“beganMr。Babbittagain，butthistimeitwasCaptainSam，whointerrupted。Thecaptainoccasionallysworeatotherpeople，buthewasnotaccustomedtobeswornat。He，too，beganto“heat，up。”Herosetohisfeet。
“That’lldo，Babbitt，“hecommanded。”What’sthematterwithyou？
Isitmeyou’recussin’？，Becauseifitis——“
ThelittleBabbitteyessnappeddefiance。
“Ifitis，what？”hedemanded。Butbeforethecaptaincouldreply，Winslow，turningawayfromthewindow，didsoforhim。
“Ifitis，Ishouldsay’twasaprettycompletejob，“hedrawled。
“Idon’tknowwhenI’veheardfewerthingsleftout。Youhave，reasontobeproud，bothofyou。Andnow，Phineas，“hewenton，“what’sitallabout？，What’sthematter？”
Mr。Babbittwavedhisfistsagain，preparatorytoanotheroutburst。
Jedlaidabighandonhisshoulder。
“Don’tseemtometimeforthebenedictionyet，Phineas，“hesaid。
“Oughttopreachyoursermonorsingahymnfirst，seemsso。What，didyoucomeherefor？”
PhineasBabbitt’shardgrayeyeslookedupintothebigbrownones，gazingmildlydownuponhim。Hisgazeshiftedandhistonewhenhe，nextspokewasatriflelesssavage。
“HeknowswellenoughwhatIcameherefor，“hegrowled，indicating，Hunniwellwithajerkofhisthumb。”Heknowsthatjustaswellas，heknowswhyhehadhimselfputonthatExemptionBoard。”
“Ididn’thavemyselfputthere，“declaredthecaptain。”Thejob，waswishedonme。LordknowsIdidn’twantit。Iwasjusttellin’
Jedherethatverything。”
“Wishedonyounothin’！，Youplannedtogetitandyouworkedto，getitandIknowwhyyoudidit，too。’Twastogetanothercrack，atme。’Twastoplayanotherdirtytrickonmeliketheoneyou，playedthatcheatedmeoutofthepostoffice。Youknewthey’d，draftedmyboyandyouwantedtomakesurehedidn’tgetclear。
You——“
“That’lldo！”CaptainHunniwellseizedhimbytheshoulder。
“That’senough，“criedthecaptain。”Yourboyhadnothin’todo，withit。Ineverthoughtofhisnamebein’drawnwhenIsaidI’d，acceptthejob。”
“Youlie！”
“WHAT？，Why，youlittlesawed-off，dried-up，sassysonofasea，cook！，I’ll——“
Winslow’slankyformwasinterposedbetweenthepair;andhisslow，gentledrawlmadeitselfheard。
“I’msorrytointerrupttheexperiencemeetin’，“hesaid，“butI’VE
gotacalltotestifyandIfeelthespiritaworkin’。Setdown，again，Sam，willyouplease。Phineas，yousetdownoverthere。
Pleasesetdown，bothofyou。Sam，asafavortome——“
Butthecaptainwasnotinafavor-extendingmood。Hegloweredat，hisadversaryandremainedstanding。
“Phin——“beggedWinslow。ButMr。Babbitt，althoughatriflepaler，thanwhenheenteredtheshop，wasnotmoreyielding。
“I’mparticularwhoIsetdownalongof，“hedeclared。”I’das，soonsetdownwitha——arattlesnakeasIwouldwithsomehumans。”
CaptainSamwasnotpale，farfromit。
“Skunksarealwaysafraidofsnakes，theytellme，“heobserved，tartly。”Arattlesnake’shonest，anyhow，andheain’tafraidto，bite。Heain’tallbadsmellandnothin’else。”
Babbitt’sbristlingchinbeardquiveredwithinarticulatehatred。
Winslowsighedresignedly。
“Well，“heasked，“youdon’tmindtheother——er——critterinthe，menageriesittin’，doyou？，Now——now——now，justaminute，“he，pleaded，ashistwocompanionsshowedsymptomsofspeaking，simultaneously。”Justaminute;letmesayaword。Phineas，I
judgetheonlyreasonyouhaveforobjectin’tothecaptain’sbein’
ontheExemptionBoardisonaccountofyourson，ain’tit？，It’s，justonLeander’saccount？”
ButbeforethefuriousMr。Babbittcouldanswertherecameanother，interruption。Thebellattachedtothedooroftheoutershoprang，oncemore。Jed，whohadacceptedhisowninvitationtosit，rose，againwithagroan。
“NowIwonderwhoTHATis？”hedrawled，inmildsurprise。
CaptainHunniwell’sfrayedpatience，nevernotedforlong，endurance，snappedagain。”Graciousking！goandfindout，“he，roared。”Whoever’tis’lldieofoldagebeforeyougetthere。”
TheslowsmiledriftedoverMr。Winslow’sface。”ProbablyifI
waitandgive’emachancethey’llcomeinhereandhaveapoplexy，instead，“hesaid。”Thatseemstobethefashionablediseasethis，afternoon。Theywon’tstayoutthereandbelonesome;they’llcome，inherewhereit’sprivateandthere’sacrowd。Eh？，Yes，here，theycome。”
Butthenewestvisitordidnotcome，liketheothers，uninvited，intothe“private“room。Insteadheknockedonitsdoor。When，Winslowopenedithesawasmallboywithayellowenvelopeinhis，hand。
“Hello，Josiah，“hailedJed，genially。”How’sthepresidentofthe，WesternUnionthesedays？”
Theboygrinnedbashfullyandopinedthemagnatejustmentionedwas，“allright。”，Thenheadded：
“IsMr。Babbitthere？，Mr。Bearse——Mr。GabeBearse——isoveratthe，officeandhesaidhesawMr。Babbittcomeinhere。”
“Yes，he’shere。Wanttoseehim，doyou？”
“I’vegotatelegramforhim。”
Mr。Babbitthimselfcameforwardandtooktheyellowenvelope。
Afterabsentlyturningitoverseveraltimes，assomanypeopledo，whentheyreceiveanunexpectedletterormessage，hetoreitopen。
WinslowandCaptainSam，watchinghim，sawhisface，towhichthe，colorhadreturnedinthelastfewminutes，growwhiteagain。He，staggeredalittle。Jedsteppedtowardhim。
“Whatisit，Phin？”heasked。”Somebodydeador——“
Babbittwavedhimaway。”No，“hegasped，chokingly。”No，letme，be。I’m——I’mallright。”
CaptainSam，alittleconscience-stricken，cameforward。”Areyou，sick，Phin？”heasked。”IsthereanythingIcando？”
Phineasgloweredathim。”Yes，“hesnarledbetweenhisclenched，teeth，“youcanmindyourowndarnedbusiness。”
Then，turningtotheboywhohadbroughtthemessage，heordered：
“Yougetoutofhere。”
ThefrightenedyoungsterscuttledawayandBabbitt，thetelegram，rattlinginhisshakinghand，followedhim。Thecaptain，hurrying，tothewindow，sawhimgodownthewalkandalongtheroadinthe，directionofhisstore。Hewalkedlikeamanstricken。
CaptainSamturnedbackagain。”Nowwhatintimewasinthat，telegram？”hedemanded。Jed，standingwithhisbacktowardhimand，lookingoutofthewindowonthesideoftheshoptowardthesea，didnotanswer。
“Doyouhearme？”askedthecaptain。”Thattelegramstruckhim，likeashockofparalysis。Hewentalltopieces。Whatonearth，doyousupposewasinit？，Eh？，Whydon’tyousaysomethin’？，YOU
don’tknowwhatwasinit，doyou？”
Winslowshookhishead。”No，“heanswered。”Idon’tknow’sIdo。”
“Youdon’tknowasyoudo？，Well，doyouGUESSyoudo？，Jed，Winslow，whathaveyougotupyoursleeve？”
Theproprietorofthewindmillshopslowlyturnedandfacedhim。
“Idon’tknow’sthere’sanythingthere，Sam，“heanswered，“but——
butIshouldn’tbemuchsurprisedifthattelegramwasfrom，Leander。”
“Leander？，LeanderBabbitt？，What……Eh？，Whatinthunderdo，YOUwant？”
Thelastquestionwasdirectedtowardthewindowonthestreetside，oftheshop。Mr。GabrielBearsewasstandingontheoutsideof，thatwindow，energeticallythumpingontheglass。
“Openherup！，Openherup！”commandedGabe。”I’vegotsomethin’
totellyou。”
CaptainSamopenedthewindow。Gabriel’sfacewasaglowwith，excitement。”Say！，Say！”hecried。”Didhetellyou？，Didhetell，you？”
“Didwhotellwhat？”demandedthecaptain。
“DidPhinBabbitttellyouwhatwasinthattelegramhejustgot？
Whatdidhesaywhenhereadit？，Didheswear？，Ibethedid！，If，thattelegramwan’tsomesurprisetooldBabbitt，then——“
“Doyouknowwhat’twas——whatthetelegramwas？”
“DoI？，YoubetyouIdo！，AndI’mtheonlyoneinthistownexcept，PhinandJimBaileythatdoesknow。Iwasinthetelegraphoffice，whenJimtookitoverthewire。IseeJimwasprettyexcited。
’Well，’sayshe，’ifthiswon’tbesomejolttooldPhin！’hesays。
’Whatwill？’saysI。’Why，’sayshe——“
“Whatwasit？”demandedCaptainSam。”You’redyin’totellus，a，blindmancouldseethat。Getitoffyourchestandsaveyour，life。Whatwasit？”
Mr。Bearseleanedforwardandwhispered。Therewasnorealreason，whyheshouldwhisper，butdoingsoaddedamysterious，confidentialtang，sotospeak，tothevalueofhisnews。
“’TwasfromLeander——fromPhin’sownboy，LeanderBabbitt，’twas。
’Twasfromhim，upinBostonanditwentsomethin’likethis：’Have，enlistedintheinfantry。Madeupmymindbestthingtodo。Will，notbeback。Havewrittenparticulars。’，Thatwasit，orpretty，nighit。Leander’senlisted。NeverwaitedfornoExemptionBoard，nornothin’，butwentupandenlistedonhisownhookwithout，tellin’asoulhewasgoin’to。That’sthewayBaileyandme，figgeritup。Say，ain’tthatsomenews？，Godfreys，Imusthustle，backtothepostofficeandtellthegangaforeanybodyelsegets，aheadofme。Solong！”
Hehurriedawayonhisjoyfulerrand。CaptainHunniwellclosedthe，windowandturnedtofacehisfriend。
“Doyousupposethat’strue，Jed？”heasked。”Doyousupposeit，CANbetrue？”
Jednodded。”Shouldn’tbesurprised，“hesaid。
“Goodgraciousking！，DoyoumeantheboywentoffuptoBostonon，hisownhook，asthatwhat’s-his-name——Gab——says，andvolunteered，andgothimselfenlistedintothearmy？”
“Shouldn’twonder，Sam。”
“Well，mygraciousking！，Why——why——nowonderoldBabbittlookedas，ifthemaintopsailyardhadfellonhim。Tut，tut，tut！，Well，I
declare！，Nowwhatdoyousupposeputhimuptodoin’that？”
Winslowsatdowninhislowchairagainandpickedupthewooden，sailorandthepaintbrush。
“Well，Sam，“hesaid，slowly，“Leander’saprettygoodboy。”
“Yes，Isupposeheis，buthe’sPhinBabbitt’sson。”
“Iknow，butdon’titseemtoyouasifsomesortsoffatherswas，likebirthmarksandbowlegs;theycomeearlyinlifeandafeller，ain’ttoblameforhavin’’em？，Sam，youain’tsorrytheboy’s，volunteered，areyou？”
“Sorry！，Ishouldsaynot！，Foronethinghisdoin’itmakesmyjob，ontheExemptionBoardamightysighteasier。Therewon’tbeany，rowtherewithPhineasnow。”
“No-o，Ithought’twouldhelpthat。Butthatwan’tthewhole，reason，Sam。”
“Reasonforwhat？，Whatdoyoumean？”
“Imeanthatwan’tmywholereasonfortellin’Leanderhe’dbetter，volunteer，bettergouptoBostonandenlist，sameashedid。That，waspart，but’twan’tall。”
CaptainSam’seyesandmouthopened。Hestaredatthespeakerin，amazement。
“Youtoldhimtovolunteer？”herepeated。”Youtoldhimtogoto，Bostonand——，YOUdid？，Whatonearth？”
Jed’sbrushmovedslowlydownthewoodenlegsofhissailorman。
“LeanderandIareprettygoodfriends，“heexplained。”Ilikehim，andhe——er——hum——I’mafraidthatpaint’skindofthick。Cal’late，I’llhavetothinitalittle。”
CaptainSamcondemnedthepainttoaneternalblister。
“Goon！goon！”hecommanded。”WhataboutyouandLeander？，Finish，herout。Can’tyouseeyou’vegotmyheadwhirlin’likeoneof，thosewindmillsofyours？，FinishherOUT！”
Jedlookedoverhisspectacles。
“Oh！”hesaid。”Well，Leander’sbeencomin’inherepretty，frequentandwe’vetalkedabouthisaffairsagooddeal。He’s，alwayswantedtoenlisteversincethewarbrokeout。”
“HeHAS？”
“Why，sartin。Justthesameasyouwould，or——orIhopeIwould，ifIwasyoungand——and，“withawistfulsmile，“different，and，likelytobeanygoodtoUncleSam。Yes，Leander’sbeenanxiousto，gotowar，buthisdadwassosetagainstitallandkepthollerin’
soabouttheboy’sbein’neededinthestore，thatLeanderdidn’t，hardlyknowwhattodo。Butthenwhenhewasdrawnonthedraft，listhecameinhereandheandIhadalongtalk。’Twas，yesterday，afteryou’dtoldmeaboutbein’putontheBoard，you，know。Icouldseethetroublethere’dbebetweenyouandPhineas，and——and——well，yousee，Sam，Ijustkindofwantedthatboyto，volunteer。I——Idon’tknowwhy，but——“Helookedupfromhiswork，andstareddreamilyoutofthewindow。”Iguessmaybe’twas，becauseI’vebeenwishin’sothatIcouldgomyself——or——do，SOMETHIN’thatwassomegood。SoLeanderandItalkedandfinally，hesaid，’Well，byGeorge，IWILLgo。’，And——and——well，Iguess，that’sall;hewent，yousee。”
Thecaptaindrewalongbreath。
“Hewent，“herepeated。”Andyouknewhe’dgone？”
“No，Ididn’tknow，butIkindofguessed。”
“Youguessed，andyetallthetimeI’vebeenhereyouhaven’tsaid，awordaboutittillthisminute。”
“Well，Ididn’tthink’twasmuchusesayin’untilIknew。”
“Well，mygraciousking，JedWinslow，youbeatallmygoin’tosea！
Butyou’vehelpedUncleSamtoagoodsoldierandyou’vehelpedme，outofanastyrow。FormypartI’meverlastin’obligedtoyou，I
amso。”
Jedlookedpleasedbutverymuchembarrassed。
“Sho，sho，“heexclaimed，hastily，“’twan’tanything。Oh，say，“
hastilychangingthesubject，“I’vegotsomemoney’roundhere，somewheresIthoughtmaybeyou’dtaketothebankanddepositfor，menexttimeyouwent，if’twan’ttoomuchtrouble。”
“Trouble？，Course’tain’tanytrouble。Whereisit？”
Winslowputdownhisworkandbegantohunt。Fromonedrawerof，hisworkbench，amidnails，toolsandhuddlesofpapers，he，producedasmallbundleofbanknotes;fromanotherdraweranother，bundle。These，however，didnotseemtosatisfyhimentirely。At，last，afteragooddealofverydeliberatesearch，heunearthed，morepapercurrencyfromthepocketofadirtypairofoveralls，hangingonanail，andemptiedaheapofsilverandcoppersfroma，batteredcanontheshelf。CaptainHunniwell，mutteringto，himself，watchedthecollectingprocess。Whenitwascompleted，he，asked：
“Isthisall？”
“Eh？，Yes，Iguess’tis。Ican’tseemtofindanymorejustnow。
Maybeanotherbatch’llturnuplater。IfitdoesI’llkeepittill，nexttime。”
Thecaptain，suppressinghisemotions，hastilycountedthemoney。
“Haveyouanyideahowmuchthereishere？”heasked。
“No，Idon’tknow’sIhave。There’sbeenquiteconsider’blecomin’
inlastfortni’torso。Summerfolksbeenpayin’billsandone，thingor’nother。Mightbefortyorfiftydollars，Ipresume，likely。”
“Fortyorfifty！，Nearerahundredandfifty！，Andyoukeepit，stuffedaroundineveryjunkholefromtherooftothecellar。
Wondertomeyoudon’tlightyourpipewithit。Ishouldn’twonder，ifyoudid。HowmanytimeshaveItoldyoutodeposityourmoney，everythreedaysanyhow？，Howmanytimes？”
Mr。Winslowseemedtoreflect。
“Don’tknow，Sam，“headmitted。”Goodmany，Iwillgivein。But——
but，yousee，Sam，if——ifItakeittothebankI’mliableto，forgetI’vegotit。Long’sit’sroundheresomewheresI——why，I
knowwhere’tisand——andit’shandy。See，don’tyou？”
Thecaptainshookhishead。
“JedWinslow，“hedeclared，“asIsaidtoyoujustnowyoubeatall，mygoin’tosea。Ican’tmakeyouout。WhenIseehowyouact，withmoneyandbusiness，andhowyouletfolkstakeadvantageof，you，thenIthinkyou’reaplaindumfool。Andyetwhenyoubobup，anddosomethin’likegettin’LeanderBabbitttovolunteerand，gettin’meoutofthatrowwithhisfather，then——well，then，I’m，readytoswearyou’reaswiseasKingSolomoneverwas。You’rea，puzzletome，Jed。Whatareyou，anyway——thedumfoolorKing，Solomon？”
Jedlookedmeditativelyoverhisspectacles。Theslowsmile，twitchedthecornersofhislips。
“Well，Sam，“hedrawled，“ifyouputittovoteattownmeetin’I
cal’latethemajority’dbealloneway。But，Idon’tknow“——;he，paused，andthenadded，“Idon’tknow，Sam，butit’sjustaswell，as’tis。AKingSolomondownhereinOrhamwouldbeanawful，lonesomecuss。”
