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Yes, the letter was from George L. Thomas, and George L. Thomas was Cousin Gussie's private secretary. At last! The letter shook in Galusha's fingers as he began to read. Mr. Thomas was glad to hear from him, glad to learn that he was in better health, etc.... All right enough, this beginning, but not at all important.
The light keeper, paying no need whatever, was shouting his wife's name. "Julia! Julia!" he cried. "Don't go! I want you! I need you!" Lulie called "Father" and hastened toward him. Zacheus whispered in Galusha's ear that he cal'lated 'twouldn't do no harm to turn on the glim and proceeded forthwith to turn up the wick of one of the lamps.
Bangs," she said, "you don't think it dishonorable, or mean to father, for me to keep on seeing Nelson, do you? Father keeps ordering me not to, but I never say I won't. If he asked me I should tell him that I did." Galusha's answer was promptly given. "No, I don't think it dishonorable," he said. "Of course, you must see him.
"Well, what do you say, Mr. Bangs?" inquired Captain Jethro. Bangs turned a haggard gaze in the speaker's direction. The latter was standing in exactly the same attitude, feet apart, hand to beard, sad eyes gazing out to sea; just as he had stood when Galusha's sympathy had gone out to him as a "helpless, dreaming child."
The brightness was fading from Galusha's face. He sighed, removed his spectacles, and seemed to descend from the clouds. He sighed again, and then smiled his faint smile. "Dear me," he said, "how ridiculous it was, wasn't it? You like a joke, don't you, Cousin Gussie?" "Was it a joke, Loosh? You didn't look nor speak like a joker." "Eh? Oh, yes, it was a joke, of course.
Cabot laughed once more. "Delighted, Miss Phipps," he assured her. "That is what I have been trying to do for a month or more. But don't worry about old Galusha's going broke. He why, what is it?" "Oh, nothin'. I was thinkin' about what he did and and " "Yes, I know. Isn't it amazing? I have known him all my life, but I'm never sure how he will fly off the handle next.
I had no thought of offending you, old man. I well, perhaps I am inclined to joke too freely. But, really, I didn't suppose I never knew you to be " He paused. Galusha's expression did not change; he said nothing. "I am very sorry," went on the banker. "It was only thoughtlessness on my part. You'll forgive me, Loosh, I hope." Galusha bowed, but he did not smile.
The alarming part of it was that he made no effort to regain his equilibrium, but remained in the unusual, not to say undignified, posture. "What IS the matter?" demanded Miss Phipps, seizing him by the arm and pulling him forward. "What was it? What happened?" Galusha's face was beaming. His eyes shone with excitement. "It it struck me at that moment," he cried. "At that very moment."
He wondered what the captain had invited him up there to talk about. Some spiritualistic subject, very likely; the conversation seemed to be tending that way. Jethro appeared to have forgotten altogether the seance and his, Galusha's, assumption of the character of the small, dark "evil influence."
And it was Martha who spoke first. "Oh, Mr. Bangs!" she gasped. "Oh, Mr. Bangs!" Galusha's chin quivered. His face became very red. "Why why why, Miss Martha, I I " His agitation caused his teeth actually to chatter. Martha noticed the chatter and misinterpreted the cause. "Mercy me!" she cried. "You're standin' out there and freezin' to death. Of course you are. Come right in!
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