Grover looked from one face to the other.
"Is there any particular reason why Captain Hunniwell shouldn't come?" he asked.
Jed and Ruth were silent. Phineas chuckled malevolently. Jed heard the chuckle and spoke.
"'Twas—'twas Cap'n Sam he was goin' to tell," he whispered, pointing at Babbitt. Ruth caught her breath with a frightened gasp.
Grover nodded. "Oh, I see," he said. "Well, I don't think he will. He'll be more—more—careful, I'm sure. Babbitt, remember."
They heard the captain rattle the latch of the front door. Ruth opened the door behind her. "I must go, Jed," she whispered. "I—I can't stay."
The Major turned. "I'll go with you, Mrs. Armstrong," he said. But Jed leaned forward.
"I—I wish you'd stay, Major Grover," he whispered. "I—I'd like to have you stay here just a minute or two."
Grover hesitated. Ruth went out, closing the living-room door after her. A moment later Captain Sam came into the workshop.
"Hello, Jed!" he hailed. "Why, hello, Major! What—" Then for the first time he saw and recognized the third member of the group. He looked at Phineas and the little man looked at him. The looks were studies in expression.