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It began much as other busy days had begun for us of the Scarboro, since we got upon the whaling grounds; the fires under the trying-out kettles were scarcely quenched when, just at daybreak, came the hail of the man in the crowsnest: "On deck, sir! Ah-h blows!"
It was only to strangers that he aired his convictions on the training of "womenfolks," though for that matter he might safely have done it even at home; for everybody in Limington knew that it would always have been too late to begin with the Widder Bixby, since, like all the Stovers of Scarboro, she had been born with the bit in her teeth.
At least, the Scarboro looked to be a most staunch and seaworthy craft. The young fellow who had hailed me was Second Mate Gibson, nephew of the captain and, I very soon discovered, possessed of little more practical knowledge of sea-going and seamanship than myself. But he was a brisk, cheerful, educated fellow and being merely the captain's lieutenant over the watch got along very well.
Near him on the table was a cable despatch from New York: My daughter sailed on the Mauretania to-day at ten o'clock. Mrs. Chichester whom we last saw under extremely distressing circumstances in Ireland now enters prominently into the story. She was leading a secluded and charming existence in an old and picturesque villa at Scarboro, in the north of England.
Nicholas Jelnik, being talked to by Mrs. Scarboro and an apple-faced Confederate with pellucid blue eyes and a renowned trigger-finger. "That is the most gifted and detached human being I have ever known," said the secretary. "But it is his misfortune to have no saving responsibilities. What he needs is to fall in love with the right woman and marry her."
For, although three months had passed, and they had played golf together until they were as loath to clasp a golf club as a red-hot poker, they knew no one, and no one knew them. That is, they did not know the Van Wardens; and if you lived at Scarboro and were not recognized by the Van Wardens, you were not to be found on any map.
But until I am sure of that I consider it my duty to keep an eye on you. I want you to come along with us to-day." "I know where you are going. This girl has told me," said the light-haired youth, nodding at Ruth. "You're going up to Scarboro." "Yes. And I propose to take you with us. We'll see whether your mother wants you or not."
Had it not been for mother and the fears I felt for her in the mesh of Chester Downes' web, I should have welcomed this chance that had put me aboard the whaling bark Scarboro. "And she's a fine old craft," declared the young second mate. "Maybe she's a bit tender in her bends, but she's sailed in every quarter of the globe and has brought home many a cargo of oil.
"But we're all going up there this very day," said Ruth, slowly." Mr. Cameron, and Helen and Tom, and some other girls and boys. I'm going, too " "Going where?" shrieked Fred Hatfield, actually shaking with terror, and as pale as a ghost. "We're off for the backwoods up Scarboro way. Mr. Cameron is going to take us for a fortnight to Snow Camp. And you "
Before the party arrived from Scarboro she had opportunity of going all about the great log lodge, and getting acquainted with all it held and all that surrounded it. The great hall on the lower floor was arranged so as to have a broad open fireplace at either end.
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