Ralph and Elsie also shook hands with him, and said some pleasant things. So did many others, Dr. Palmer among the number. Altogether, the journey through the hall was a sort of triumphal progress.
“Whew!” gasped the Captain, as they came out into the clear air and the moonlight, “let’s hope that’s the last of the dime-show bus’ness.”
“Eri,” whispered Mrs. Snow, “I’m so proud of you, I don’t know what to do.”
And that remark was sweeter to the Captain’s ears than all those that had preceded it.
They turned into the shore road and were alone. It was a clear winter night, fresh, white snow on the ground, not a breath of wind, and the full moon painting land and sea dark blue and silver white. The surf sounded faint and far off. Somewhere in the distance a dog was barking, and through the stillness came an occasional laugh or shout from the people going home from the hall.
“Lots of things can happen in a few months, can’t they?” said Mrs. Snow, glancing at the black shadow of the shuttered Baxter homestead.
“They can so,” replied the Captain. “Think what’s happened sence last September. I didn’t know you then, and now it seems ‘s if I’d always known you. John was alive then, and Elsie nor Ralph hadn’t come. Perez hadn’t met Pashy neither. My! my! Everybody’s choosed partners but Jerry,” he chuckled, “and Jerry looked the most likely candidate ‘long at the beginnin’. I’m glad,” he added, “that Ralph’s made up his mind to stay here. We shan’t lose him nor Elsie for a few years, anyhow.”
They paused at the knoll by the gate.
“Fair day to-morrer,” observed the Captain, looking up at the sky.
“I hope it ‘ll be fair weather for us the rest of our days,” said Mrs. Snow.
“You’ve HAD it rough enough, that’s sure. Well, I hope you’ll have a smooth v’yage, now.”
The lady from Nantucket looked up into his face with a happy laugh.
“I guess I shall,” she said. “I know I’ve got a good pilot.”