Angeline's news created a sensation. The schoolmistress immediately became the center of interest.
“Is that so? Was you there, teacher? Well, I declare!” The questions and exclamations flew round the table.
“Tell us, teacher,” pleaded Keturah. “Wasn't Heman grand? I should so like to have heard him. Didn't Cap'n Whittaker look ashamed of himself?”
“No, he did not. If anyone looked ashamed it was Mr. Atkins and his friends. Perhaps I ought to tell you that my sympathies are entirely with Captain Whittaker in this affair. To give that little girl up to a drunken scoundrel like her father would, in my opinion, be a crime.”
The boarders and the landlady gasped. Asaph grinned and nudged Bailey under the table. Keturah was the first to recover.
“Well!” she exclaimed. “Everybody's got a right to their opinion, of course. But I can't see the crime, myself. And as for the drunkenness, I'd like to know who's seen Mr. Thomas drunk. Cyrus Whittaker SAYS he has, but—”
She waved her hand scornfully. Phoebe rose from her chair.
“I have seen him in that condition,” she said. “In fact, I am the person he insulted. I saw Captain Whittaker knock him down, and I honored the captain for it. I only wished I were a man and could have done it myself.”
She left the room, and, a few moments later, the house. Mr. Tidditt chuckled aloud. Even Bailey dared to look pleased.
“There!” sneered the widow Tripp. “Ain't that—Perhaps you remember that Cap'n Whittaker got her the teacher's place?”