The cruise was a great success, if we take the Captain’s word for it, which word was given to Mrs. Beaver on their return to Little 122 River. “Them young folks had the time of their lives, and I never see a more likely pair than that little Beth and the minister as they stood by the wheel together steering the Jennie P. through them rollers. Beth takes to water just the same way she takes to everything, with her whole soul.”
It was noon when they cast anchor in the Riverhead Inlet. The men prepared to go ashore while the girls took out the lunches. As the baskets were opened, and bundles untied, Mr. McGowan suggested that they make for shore before their appetites demanded otherwise.
At the landing the men parted, for the Captain had expressed the desire to make his visit alone. He did not tell the minister that his destination was the County Farm for fear that he, Mr. McGowan, would not understand that Clemmie Pipkin was the matron, and not an inmate.
Captain Pott found Miss Pipkin without difficulty. During the past ten years, he had been a frequent visitor at the Farm, and many knew him. He went at once to the bare little 123 reception-room and made known his presence. As Miss Pipkin entered a slight tinge crept into the hollow of her sallow cheeks. She extended a bony hand.
“I’m real glad to see you, Josiah. It’s been a long time since you called.”
“Howdy, Clemmie. It has been a mite long, but I’ve been purty busy of late trying to keep people out of trouble.”
“Then you must have changed a lot.”
“You ain’t looking well,” he observed solicitously. “Ain’t sick, be you?”
“No,” she answered with a deep sigh. “That is, I ain’t real sick. I ain’t been feeling quite myself for a spell, but I reckon it will wear off.”
“You’ll wear off if you don’t get out of this place,” replied the Captain.