Captain Shadrach thrust both hands into his pockets.
“I tell you what to do,” he said, sharply. “You go into the house and put some of her things into a valise or satchel or somethin'. And hurry up as fast as you can.”
Mrs. Hobbs was astonished.
“Put 'em in a satchel?” she repeated. “What for? Where's she goin'?”
“She's goin' home along with me and Zoeth. And she's got to start inside of half an hour. You hurry.”
“But—but—”
“There ain't any 'buts'; haven't got time for 'em.”
Mr. Hamilton regarded his friend with an odd expression.
“Shadrach,” he asked, “do you realize what you're sayin'?”
“Who's sayin'? You said it, I didn't. Besides takin' her home with us today don't mean nothin', does it? A visit won't hurt us. Visits don't bind anybody to anything. Jumpin' Judas! I guess we've got room enough in the house to have one young-one come visitin' for—for a couple of days, if we want to. What are you makin' such a fuss about? Here you,” turning to the housekeeper, “ain't you gone yet? You've got just thirteen minutes to get that satchel ready.”