“Beach plums! What in time would I want of beach plums? I don't put up preserves, do I? Why didn't he go to the house?”
“I asked him that, myself, and he said 'twa'n't no use.”
“No use! What did he mean by that?”
“Well, he said—he said—” Sam seemed suddenly to realize that he was getting into deep water; “he said—he said somethin' or other; I guess I've forgot what 'twas.”
“I guess you ain't. WHAT did he say?”
“Well, he said—he said Serena—Mrs. Dott, I mean—was probably gallivantin' down to the lodge room by this time. Said 'twa'n't no use tryin' to get her to attend to common things or common folks nowadays; she was too busy tryin' to keep up with Annette Black.”
This literal quotation from the frank Mr. Calvin caused a sensation. Captain Dan struggled to find words. His daughter laid a hand on his sleeve.
“Never mind, Dad,” she said, soothingly. “You know what Abel Calvin is; you don't mind what he says. Sam, you shouldn't repeat such nonsense. Run away now and attend to your work. I'm sure there's enough for you to do.”
“You—you go and clean up the cellar,” ordered the irate captain. Sam departed cellarward, muttering that it wasn't his fault; HE hadn't said nothin'. Gertrude spoke again.
“Don't mind that, Dad,” she urged. “Why, how warm you are, and how excited you look. What is it? You haven't spoken a word to John.”