第7章 IN WHICH KEZIAH UNEARTHS A PROWLER(1)

The fog was cruel to the gossips of Trumet that day.Mrs.Didama Rogers,who lived all alone,except for the society of three cats,a canary,and a white poodle named Bunch,in the little house next to Captain Elkanah's establishment,never entirely recovered from the chagrin and disappointment caused by that provoking mist.

When one habitually hurries through the morning's household duties in order to sit by the front window and note each passer-by,with various fascinating surmises as to his or her errand and the reasons for it,it is discouraging to be able to see only one's own front fence and a scant ten feet of sidewalk.And then to learn afterwards of a dozen most exciting events,each distinctly out of the ordinary,which might have been used as excuses for two dozen calls and as many sensations!As Captain Zeb Mayo,the irreverent ex-whaler,put it,That fog shook Didama's faith in the judgment of Providence.'Tain't the 'all wise,'but the 'all seeinkind she talks about in meetin'now.The fog prevented Mrs.Rogers's noting the entrance of Mr.Pepper at the Coffin front gate.Also his exit,under sisterly arrest.

It shut from her view the majestic approach of Captain Elkanah Daniels and Grace's flight,her face dimpled with smiles and breaking into laughter at frequent intervals.For a young lady,supposed to be a devout Come-Outer,to hurry along the main road,a handkerchief at her mouth and her eyes sparkling with fun,was a circumstance calculated to furnish material for enjoyable scandal.

And Didama missed it.

Other happenings she missed,also.Not knowing of Captain Daniels's call upon Keziah,she was deprived of the pleasure of wonder at the length of his stay.She did not see him,in company with Mrs.Coffin,go down the road in the opposite direction from that taken by Grace.Nor their return and parting at the gate,two hours later.She did not see--but there!she saw nothing,absolutely nothing--except the scraggy spruce tree in her tiny front yard and the lonely ten feet of walk bordering it.No one traversed that section of walk except old Mrs.Tinker,who was collecting subions for new hymn books for the Come-Outer chapel.And Didama was particularly anxious NOT to see her.

The dismal day dragged on.The silver-leaf trees dripped,the hedges were shining with moisture.Through the stillness the distant surf along the ocean sideof the Cape growled and moaned and the fog bell at the lighthouse clanged miserably.Along the walk opposite Didama's--the more popular side of the road--shadowy figures passed at long intervals,children going to and from school,people on errands to the store,and the like.It was three o'clock in the afternoon before a visitor came again to the Coffin front gate,entered the yard and rapped at the side door.

Keziah opened the door.

Halloa!she exclaimed.Back,are you?I begun to think you'd been scared away for good.Grace laughed as she entered.

Well,auntie,she said,I don't wonder you thought I was scared.

Truly,I didn't think it was proper for me to stay.First Kyan and then Cap'n Elkanah,and both of them expressing their wishes to see you alone so--er--pointedly.I thought it was time for me to go.

Surely,you give me credit for a little delicacy.Keziah eyed her grimly.

Humph!she sniffed.If you'd been a little less delicate about fetchin'that hammer,we might have been spared at least one smash-up.I don't s'pose Laviny'll ever speak to me again.Oh,dear!Iguess likely I'll never get the memory of that--that Kyan thing out of my mind.I never was so set back in my born days.Yes,you can laugh!She laughed herself as she said it.As for Grace,it was sometime before that young lady became coherent.

He DID look so funny!she gasped.Hopping up and down on that shaky chair and holding on to that pipe and--and--O Aunt Keziah,if you could have seen your face when I opened that door!Yes;well,I will say you was sometime gettin'it open.And then,on top of the whole fool business,in parades Elkanah Daniels and--She paused.Her companion looked delightedly expectant.

Yes,she cried eagerly.Then Cap'n Elkanah came and the very first thing he said was--I almost laughed in his face.Almost!Humph!that's no exaggeration.The way you put out of that door was a caution.Yes,but what did the cap'n mean?Is it a secret?Ahem!shall Icongratulate you,auntie?

Grace Van Horne!there's born fools enough in this town without your tryin'to be one.You know 'twa'n't THAT.Though what 'twas was surprise enough,I will say,she added.Grace,I ain't goin' away to-morrow.

You're not?Oh,splendid!Has the cap'n decided to let you stay here?I guess his decidin'wouldn't influence me,if twas stayin'in his house he meant.The only way I could live here would be on his charity,and that would be as poor fodder as sawdust hasty puddin',even if I was fond of charity,which I ain't.He said to me--Well,you take your things off and I'll tell you about it.You can stay a little while,can't you?Yes,I was going to stay all the afternoon and for supper,if you'd let me.I knew you had so much to do and I wanted to help.

I told uncle and he said certainly I ought to come.He said he should try to see you and say good-by before you left tomorrow.You don't say!And me a Regular!Well,I'm much obliged,though I guess your Uncle Eben won't see me to-morrow--nor speak to me again,when he knows what I AM going to do.Grace,I ain't goin'

to leave Trumet,not for the present,anyhow.I've got a way of earnin'my livin'right here.I'm goin'to keep house for the new minister.The girl turned,her hat in her hand.

Oh!she cried in utter astonishment.

Keziah nodded.Yes,she affirmed.That was what Elkanah's proposal amounted to.Ha!ha!Deary me!When he said 'proposal.'