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Updated: June 19, 2025
Captain Shadrach's bald spot blazed a fiery red and he glared about him helplessly. Mr. Hallett, who was used to unexpected happenings at funerals though, to do him justice, he had never before had to deal with anything quite like this rushed to the center of the disturbance. Mrs. Hobbs hastened to help. Together and with whisperings, they fidgeted with the refractory catch.
Deborah was not ornamental, being elderly and, as Captain Shadrach said, built for tonnage more than speed; but she was sensible and capable. Also, her fee was not excessive, although that was by no means the principal reason for her selection. "Never mind what it costs," said Mary. "Get the best you can. It's for Uncle Zoeth, remember." Shadrach's voice shook a little as he answered.
"That ain't settled yet." "How'd you come to fetch her over here? You're the last ones I ever thought would be fetchin' a child to visit you. Say, you ain't cal'latin' to keep her for good, are you?" Zoeth hesitated. Shadrach's answer was emphatic. "Course not," he snapped. "What do Zoeth and me know about managin' a child? Keep her for good, the idea!" Isaiah chuckled.
From the kitchen came Captain Shadrach's voice. It sounded excited and angry. "Who in blazes left that dum critter right under my feet?" he hollered. "I I swan, I believe I've broke my neck or his one or t'other."
"That's what I thought, so I went and looked. Shadrach, it was Mary-'Gusta. Hush! Let me tell you! She had her things on, hat and all, and she took the lantern and lit it and went out." "Went OUT!" "Yes, and and up the road. Now, where ?" Shadrach's answer was to stride to the window, pull aside the shade and look out. Along the lane in the direction of the village a fiery spark was bobbing.
Give me another cup of water, Sergeant." "I hope it may be," answered Orme, shrugging his shoulders. "To tell the truth, old fellow, it would have been wiser to defer blacking Shadrach's eyes till we were safe in Mur.
In that parlor were the trophies of Captain Shadrach's seafaring days whales' teeth, polished and with pictures of ships upon them; the model of a Chinese junk; a sea-turtle shell, flippers, head and all, exactly like a real turtle except, as Mary-'Gusta said, 'it didn't have any works'; a glass bottle with a model of the bark Treasure Seeker inside; an Eskimo lance with a bone handle and an ivory point; a cocoanut carved to look like the head and face of a funny old man; a Cuban machete; and a set of ivory chessmen with Chinese knights and kings and queens, all complete and set out under a glass cover.
Shadrach's list was even longer. It included going to church every other Sunday: keeping his Sunday shoes blacked: not forgetting to change his collar every morning: to get his hair cut at least once in six weeks: not to eat pie just before going to bed, "because you know if you do, you always have the nightmare and groan and moan and wake up everyone but yourself": not to say "Jumpin'" or "Creepin' Judas" any oftener than he could help: to be sure and not cut prices in the store just because a customer asked him to do so and goodness knows how much more.
But any reference to patriotism was offensive, and he had been particularly provoked. So, behind the broad shoulders of the other he disdainfully turned up his nose. They were off at last, with Marylyn watching them from a window, and Dallas walking alongside for a few rods to say good-by and to pat Shadrach's bony, white flanks encouragingly.
You come here and let's talk it over." Slowly Mary-'Gusta crossed the room. Zoeth sat down upon an empty box near the door and lifted the girl to his knee. "Now you ain't afraid of me, be you?" he asked quietly. Mary-'Gusta shook her head, but her big eyes were fixed upon Captain Shadrach's face. "No-o," she faltered. "I I guess I ain't. But you wasn't the one I did it to. It was him."
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