(Shakes hands all round, returns to Mary.)
Mary. But, William, where have you been all this time?
Capt. M. Oh, I had to go to the bank for father to pay the interest on a note—
Mrs. G. But we thought we’d come right along—
Mary. Why didn’t you tell me, mother?
Mrs. G. William told me not to. He wanted to s’prise yer.
J. Q. A. She thought she wouldn’t “tell you all at once, for fear you couldn’t bore it.”
Phus. I seen de cap’n at de pos’-office. He say, “How Mis Miller?” I say, “Bos’, an’ de baby, too.” Golly, wa’n’t it a big s’prise?
Mary. See, William, here’s my license as captain. I sent to Washington for a license, and here it is. (Shows it to him.)
Mrs. G. Think of aour Mary’s bein’ a cap’n. Haow lucky! An’, naow, if anything happens to you, William, she can allus get a livin’, ’cos she can manage her own boat.