Amos lifted his head, and his blue eyes did not falter in meeting the stern look of the man.
“I’ll give it to him,” he replied, and Mr. Freeman felt quite sure that the letter would reach its destination.
When Amos’s boat drew near the landing at Province Town, he saw that his father, Amanda, and the Stoddards were all waiting for him. He felt himself to be almost like the chiefs of whom Shining Fish had told him, and quite expected to be praised and made much of; but as he sprang ashore he felt his father’s hand on his shoulder.
“March yourself straight to the house, young man. I’ll see that you pay for this fool’s errand,” said Mr. Cary.
Amos wriggled away from his father’s grasp. “I’ve got a letter for Captain Enos. Anne’s in Brewster,” he announced.
“Thank heaven!” exclaimed Mrs. Stoddard. “And did you find her, Amos? You are a brave boy! Why, Mr. Cary, there’s not another boy in the village who thought of Anne’s going to Brewster, or man either for that matter,” and Mrs. Stoddard patted the boy’s shoulder affectionately, while Mr. Cary regarded Amos with puzzled eyes, hardly knowing whether to blame or praise him.
While Captain Enos read the letter Amos briefly told the story of his adventures to the little group, saving all that Shining Fish had told him to relate to Jimmy Starkweather as soon as opportunity should occur.
“Well, go home to your mother,” said Mr. Cary in a more gentle voice, and Amanda kept close beside her brother as they turned toward home.
“You’ve got to tell Mrs. Stoddard,” said Amos. “Yes, you have,” he went on, almost fiercely, as Amanda began to whimper. “Everybody’s blaming Anne, and it’s not fair; you’ve got to tell.”
Amanda stopped short and looked at her brother accusingly. “You promised not to tell,” she said.