Thankful, during this, her most prosperous season, was active from
morning until night. When that night came she was ready for sleep, ready
for more than she could afford to take. Emily was invaluable as manager
and assistant, and Captain Obed Bangs assisted and advised in every way
that he could. The captain had come to be what Mrs. Barnes called the
"sheet anchor" of the High Cliff House. Whenever the advice of a man,
or a man's help was needed, it was to Captain Bangs that she turned. And
Captain Obed was always only too glad to help. Hannah Parker declared he
spent more time at the boarding house than he did at her home.
If Emily Howes noticed how frequently the captain called--and it is
probable that she did--she said nothing about it. John Kendrick must
have noticed it, for occasionally, when he and Captain Obed were alone,
he made an irrelevant remark like the following:
"Captain," he said, on one occasion, "I think you're growing younger
every day."
"Who? Me? Go on, John! How you talk! I'm so old my timbers creak every
time I go up a flight of stairs. They'll be sendin' me to the junk pile
pretty soon."
"I guess not. You're as young as I am, every bit. Not in years, perhaps,
but in spirit and energy. And you surprise me, too. I didn't know you
were such a lady's man."
"Me? A lady's man? Tut, tut! Don't talk foolish. If I've cruised alone
all these years I cal'late that's proof enough of how much a lady's man
I am."
"That's no proof.
Pages:
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181