“Why? Don't you want him to come, Mary-'Gusta?”
“Oh, Uncle Shad, please don't. I don't feel as if I could answer. Don't ask me.”
“There, there, dearie; don't you answer nothin'. You set still here and be my baby. I ain't had a chance to baby you for a long spell and it seems good.”
Silence. Suddenly the Captain felt the head which nestled against his shoulder stir.
“Uncle Shadrach,” said Mary-'Gusta, “what do you do when you want to forget?”
“Eh? Want to forget? Oh, I don't know! Cal'late I turn to and sail in and work a little harder, maybe. Why?”
“Oh, nothing. . . But I am much obliged for the suggestion. Now I am going to work. I shall begin tomorrow morning. I wish it was tomorrow right now.”
“Don't. Jumpin' fire! Don't wish time away; some of us ain't got too much to spare. But ain't you BEEN workin', for mercy sakes? I should say you had.”
Another interval of silence. Then Mary said:
“Uncle Shad, a good while ago, when you asked me about—about him, I promised you I would tell when there was anything to tell. I am going to keep my promise. He came today and asked me—asked me to marry him—not now, of course, but by and by.”