“Of course!” he consented, and they walked down the street, neither daring to speak.
They found Rowley alone in his store. He was puttering around, making ready to close the place for the night.
As they entered, the girl stepped behind Mayo and, catching the deacon's eye, made frantic gestures. In the half gloom those gestures were decidedly incomprehensible; the deacon lowered his spectacles and stared at her, trying to understand this wigwagging.
“I'd like to take up that loan and save the rest of the year's interest, Deacon Rowley,” stated Mayo, with sailorly bluntness.
The girl was trying to convey to the deacon the fact that he must not reveal her secret. She was shaking her head. This seemed to the intermediary like direct and conclusive orders from the principal.
“No, sir, Captain Mayo! It can't be done.”
“I don't call that a square deal between men, no matter what straight business may be.”
Polly now signaled eager assent, meaning to make the deacon understand that he must take the money. But the deacon did not understand; he thought the girl affirmed her desire for straight business.
“You took it for a year. No back tracks, captain.”
She shook her head, violently.