“Will you, Gracie?” he begged. “It's the last thing I'm goin' to ask of you. I've tried to be sort of good to you, in my way, and—”
“Don't, don't!” she sobbed. “Let me think a minute, uncle, dear. Oh, do let me think!”
“I ain't got time, Gracie. You'll have to say it now, or else—All right, then, think; but think quick.”
Grace was thinking. “If she really cares for him, she won't let him ruin his life.” That was what Captain Elkanah had said. And here was a way to save him from ruin.
“Won't you say it for me, Gracie?” pleaded Captain Eben. She hesitated no longer.
“Yes, uncle,” she answered through tears, “if Nat wants me he can have me.”
Keziah clasped her hands. Captain Eben's face lit up with a great joy.
“Thank the Almighty!” he exclaimed. “Lord, I do thank you. Nat, boy, you're consider'ble older than she is and you'll have to plan for her. You be a good husband to her all her days, won't ye? Why, what are you waitin' for? Why don't you answer me?”
Nat groaned aloud.
“A minute, dad,” he stammered. “Just give me a minute, for Heaven sakes! Keziah—”