"Good-by."
The gate closed behind her. Kendrick sat down once more upon the bench beneath the locust tree.
When Judah returned with the bucket of clams he found his guest and prospective boarder just where he had left him.
"Well, by Henry, Cap'n Sears!" he exclaimed. "Still at the same old moorin's, eh? Been anchored right there ever since I sot sail?"
"Not exactly, Judah. Pretty nearly, though."
"Sho! Kind of dull music for you, I'm afraid. Whoa, you lop-sided hay-barge! Stand still till I give you orders to move, will ye! That's what I warned you, Cap'n Sears; not much goin' on around here. You'll be pretty lonesome, I guess likely."
"Oh, I guess I can stand it, Judah. I haven't been lonesome so far."
"Ain't, eh? That's good. Well, I got my clams; now I'll steer this horse into port and come back and get to work on that chowder. Oh, say, Cap'n Sears; I see Sary and told her you was cal'latin' to stay here for dinner."
"Did you? Much obliged. What did she say?"
"Say? She said a whole lot. Wanted to know how in time you got up here. 'You didn't let him walk all that great long ways, Judah Cahoon?' she says. 'I ain't altogether a fool, be I?' says I."