“I cal’late he ain’t misjudging your father none, Beth. So far as disobeying orders goes, it’s because he knows what’s best. He ain’t likely to go contrary, unless–––”
“But I know he does misjudge Father,” broke in the girl in an attempt to return to her former subject. “And Father feels it keenly. If he doesn’t misjudge him, why doesn’t he come to our house any more to ask advice about parish matters? He just goes ahead to suit himself. Do you think that fair?”
Captain Pott wanted to say no, in order to agree with his young friend, but her big blue eyes were too intent with eagerness to permit of anything but the truth, or to hedge. He chose the easiest way and hedged.
“I ain’t in no position to answer that, Beth.”
“Oh, I can’t understand it at all! Why can’t they be friends as they were at first? What has happened?”
“I can’t answer that, neither.”
“It’s just because Father has refused to bow to him in some little matter, I suppose. 144 Isn’t there some way to get them together or at least to get them to compromise?”
“I’m ’feared it ain’t in neither of ’em to do either one.”
“I suppose not,” she replied, a little catch in her voice. “But it is too bad to have the work go to pieces like it is just because they are both so stubborn.”
“It sartin is, Beth.” The seaman fidgeted. What could the girl be driving at?