Ben’s face was redder than any fire-coal, while his body was in a cold sweat. Sally felt as though she should sink through the floor. Mrs. Rhines looked up to see if the roof was not about to fall and crush them all; while the young people, totally unable to suppress their merriment, tittered audibly. Ben stood it a few moments, and then left the assembly, the seal playing him out.
After stopping a night at the widow’s, they went over to Uncle Isaac’s, as he declared, unless they spent a night with him, he would never step foot on the island again. He invited John Strout and all the Rhineses to tea. John had a great many inquiries to make of Ben, in respect to Charles, who told him about his being caught in the snow squall.
“He’s good grit—ain’t he?” said John.
“Yes, John; he’s a good, brave, affectionate boy as ever lived; and I love him more and more every day.”
“There, Uncle Isaac!” cried John Rhines, “what have I always told you? You’ll give up now—won’t you?”
“Yes, John; I’ll give up. I suppose you feel better now—don’t you?”
“Yes, Uncle Isaac, I do feel better; for I never could like anybody as I want to like Charlie, that you had any doubt about. I don’t believe in liking at the halves.”
Upon their return Charles met them at the shore, delighted to see them, and evidently bursting with some great secret.
“Charles has been doing something special, I know,” said Sally; “just look at him.”
The boy was hopping and skipping along before them, scarcely able to contain himself.