The Captain told his housekeeper the whole story. He passed as lightly as he could over the part where Adoniah had married the trader’s daughter. Miss Pipkin gave no sign that she cared in the least, or that the news had shocked her. But when the Captain rehearsed the treachery of Mr. James Fox, she grew rigid. She dabbed her apron into the corners of her eyes as he unfolded the story of the suffering of the little family. The old man paused to wipe the tears from his own eyes as he recounted the finding of the lad in the doorway with a pile of morning papers in his lap. For some time after he had finished neither spoke. The Captain dangled his bandanna at the end of his nose, and Miss Pipkin dabbed her checked apron against her wet cheeks.
“Josiah,” she whispered eagerly, “have you found the boy yet? Is he still alive?”
“Yes.” A prolonged blow followed.
She laid her hand in his. “Where is he? Do you think I could see him?”
“He’s in there.” He pointed toward the study door.
“In that study with Mr. McGowan? Is that what you said?”
He nodded.
“You brought him here from the city yesterday?”
The seaman shook his head. “He come long afore that.”