“I—I cal'late so,” he answered.
“Well, it don't make any difference,” declared Thankful. “My cousin and I are just as glad to see him as if he was an admiral. We've been waitin' so long to see any human bein' that we'd begun to think they was all drowned. But you haven't met my cousin yet. Her name's Howes.”
Emily, who had stood by, patient but chilly, during the introductions and reminiscences, shook hands with Captain Bangs and Mr. Parker. Both gentlemen said they were pleased to meet her; no, Captain Obed said that—Kenelm said that he was “glad to be acquaintanced.”
“I don't know as we hadn't ought to beg your pardon for creepin' in on you this way,” said the captain. “We thought the house was empty. We didn't know you was visitin' your—your property.”
“Well, so far as that goes, neither did we. I don't wonder you expected to find burglars or tramps or whatever you did expect. We've had an awful time this night, ain't we, Emily?”
“We certainly have,” declared Miss Howes, with emphasis.
“Yes, you see—”
She gave a brief history of the cruise and wreck of the depot-wagon. Also of their burglarious entry of the house.
“And now, Cap'n,” she said, in conclusion, “if you could think up any way of our gettin' to that hotel, we'd be ever so much obliged. . . . Hello! There's that driver, I do believe! And about time, I should say!”
From without came the sound of wheels and the voice of Winnie S., hailing his missing passengers.