The Honorable Heman had left town on a business trip to the South. Alicia was accompanied by the Atkins housekeeper and, as usual, was garbed regardless of expense.
Mrs. Salters smiled sweetly upon the Atkins heir and then added, in a church whisper: “Don't she look sweet? I agree with you, Sarah; it is strange how Captain Whittaker lets his little niece go. And him rich!”
“Niece?” repeated Mrs. Simpson eagerly. “Who said 'twas his niece? I heard 'twas a child he'd adopted out of a home. There's all sorts of queer yarns about. I—Oh, good mornin', Cap'n Cyrus! How DO you do?”
The captain grunted an answer to the effect that he was bearing up pretty well, considering. There was a scowl on his face, and he spoke little as, holding Emily by the hand, he led the way home. That evening he dropped in at the perfect boarding house and begged to know if Mrs. Bangs had any “fashion books” around that she didn't want.
“I mean—er—er—magazines with pictures of women's duds in 'em,” he stammered, in explanation. “Bos'n likes to look at 'em. She's great on fashion books, Bos'n is.”
Keturah got together a half dozen numbers of the Home Dressmaker and other periodicals of a similar nature. The captain took them under his arm and departed, whispering to Mr. Tidditt, as he passed the latter in the hall:
“Come up by and by, Ase. I want to talk to you. Bring Bailey along, if you can do it without startin' divorce proceedings.”
Later, when the trio gathered in the Whittaker sitting room, Captain Cy produced the “fashion books” and spoke concerning them.
“You see,” he said, “I—I've been thinkin' that Bos'n—Emily, that is—wan't rigged exactly the way she ought to be. Have you fellers noticed it?”
His friends seemed surprised. Neither was ready with an immediate answer, so the captain went on.