“Julia got message. Yes, indeedee. Important message, she sayee, for Jethro. Jethro must do what she sayee.”
The captain's big head nodded vigorously. Martha could see it move, a tousled shadow against the light.
“Yes, yes, Julia, of course,” he said. “I always do what you say. You know I do. Go on.”
“Father!” It was Lulie's voice, raised in anxious protest. “Father, please.”
Her father sharply ordered her to be quiet.
“Go on, Julia,” he persisted. “Tell me what you want me to do.”
Again Little Cherry Blossom seemed to have difficulty in articulating. There was a quaver in her voice when she did speak.
“Julia say,” she faltered; “Julia sayee 'Jethro, you sell R.P.'”
This was unexpected. It was not at all the message the group of listeners, with one exception, had anticipated. There was no hint of Nelson Howard here. They did not know what to make of it. Nor, it was evident, did Jethro Hallett.
“What?” he demanded. “What, Julia? I don't understand.”