"Dick Lancaster has gone boating to-day with the Broadstone people," he said.
"What!" exclaimed Miss Port. "Gone there again already? Why it was only yesterday you took dinner with them."
"Lunch," corrected the captain.
"Well, you may call it what you please," said Maria, "but I call it dinner. And them two's together without you, that you tried so hard to keep apart!"
"I did not try anything of the kind," said the captain a little sharply; "it just happened so."
"Happened so!" exclaimed Miss Port. "Well, I must say, Captain Asher, that you've a regular genius for makin' things happen. The minute she goes, he comes. I wish I could make things happen that way."
The captain took no notice of this remark, and moved toward the door of the store.
"Look here, captain," continued Miss Port, "can't you come and take dinner with us? You haven't seen Pop for ever so long. It won't be lunch, though, but an honest dinner."
The captain accepted the invitation; for old Mr. Port was one of his ancient friends; and then he entered the store. Miss Port was on the point of following him; she had something to say about Olive; but she stopped.
"I'll keep that till dinner-time," she said to herself.