This time Bos'n deliberated before answering. At last, however, she bent forward and touched the teacher's gifts.
“These,” she said. “I like these next best.”
Captain Cy was surprised.
“Sho!” he exclaimed. “You don't say!”
“Yes. I think I like teacher next to you. I like Georgianna and Mr. Tidditt and Mr. Bangs, of course, but I like her a little better. Don't you, uncle Cyrus?”
The captain changed the subject. He asked her what she should name her doll.
The Board of Strategy came in during the forenoon, and the presents had to be shown to them. While the exhibition was in progress Miss Dawes called. And before she left Gabe Lumley drove up in the depot wagon bearing a big express package addressed to “Miss Emily Thomas, Bayport.”
“Humph!” exclaimed Captain Cy. “Somethin' more for Bos'n, hey! Who in the world sent it, do you s'pose?”
Asaph and Bailey made various inane suggestions as to the sender. Phoebe said nothing. There was a frown on her face as she watched the captain get to work on the box with chisel and hammer. It contained a beautiful doll, fully and expensively dressed, and pinned to the dress was a card—“To dear little Emmie, from her lonesome Papa.”
The Board of Strategy looked at the doll in wonder and astonishment. Captain Cy strode away to the window.