“No, Uncle Enos,” said Anne, creeping a little closer; “I slept in the top bunk in the sloop.”
“Well, this is a nice affair. I can’t take you back now. I’ll make Boston Harbor before dusk with this wind. But how came you in the sloop?”
“Jimmie Starkweather rowed me out last night after you were sound asleep. And he is going to tell Aunt Martha all about it this morning. He told me to tell you that he didn’t want me to go aboard, but that I would,” said Anne.
Captain Enos’s face was very sober, but he did not say any harsh word.
“What did you hide in the sloop for, child?” he asked.
“To go to Boston with you, Uncle Enos, and find my father,” said Anne.
Then the captain’s face grew even more sober.
“Then you do not like living with us?” he said; “but I thought you seemed happy, Anne. Your Aunt Martha will miss you, child. But if your heart is so set on being with your father I must do my best to find him for you. How a soldier can manage to care for a small girl like you is more than I can tell,” and the captain sighed.
“I brought my scarlet stockings and new shoes to show him,” said Anne.
Captain Enos nodded.