"That'll be nice for you, Tunis," Aunt Prue put in. "You can go to church. You don't often have that privilege. Seafarin' is an awful godless life."
Queenie sprang ahead gallantly at the sound of a hearty sneeze from Cap'n Ira, just then, and they were soon at home. Tunis jumped out and aided the old woman and then the captain to alight. Sheila got out on the other side of the carriage. She would have preferred to run on into the house, but she could not really do that. Queenie must be unharnessed and put in her stable and given a measure of oats to munch. Of course, Tunis would offer to do this, but she could not leave him to attend to it without a word.
"I'll help you with Queenie, Ida May," said the captain of the Seamew.
That settled it. She had to remain outside while Cap'n Ira and Prudence went into the house. Tunis led the old mare toward the barn. A lantern, burning very dimly, was in a box just outside the big door, and Sheila got this and held it while Tunis busied himself with the buckles.
"I didn't mean to interfere," the man said, suddenly breaking the silence between them. "But as I was coming this way, of course, I expected to ride along with you. So—"
"What do you mean, Captain Latham?" the girl asked wonderingly.
"Orion said you sent him out to get Queenie."
"Why, I—"
"Of course, you didn't know I was there. I had just reached the church. But 'Rion is so fresh—"
"He took it upon himself to go," said the girl calmly. "I did not send him. I guess you know how your cousin is."