Soon many passengers were streaming up the gangplank, and in a minute Kathleen was greeting the tall lean man with a gayety Phil had never before seen in her demeanor.
Mrs. Fabian next shook hands with him, and introduced Phil, who, in the confusion and limitations of the commonplace wharf, had quite regained his normal alertness.
"You gave us a very nice day, Cap'n James," said Mrs. Fabian graciously. "Where's the carriage?"
"Waitin'. Can't take you all, I'm afraid. Mrs. Frick from down-along engaged me ahead."
"Ahead of us?" inquired Mrs. Fabian superbly.
"Got one seat," said Captain James. He was accustomed to Mrs. Fabian's autocracy.
"That's all we want," said Kathleen. "Mr. Sidney and I will walk up."
So Mrs. Fabian and the bags were stowed in the carriage and the young people were started on their walk before Tom had turned heavily into the road.
"What air!" exclaimed Phil, as they struck into the deep grass.