“Well, Is,” inquired the depot master, “did you give the remains to the Major?”
“Yes, sir,” answered Issy.
“Did you tell him how the shockin' fatality happened? How the thing got broken?”
“Yes, sir, I told him.”
“What did he say? Didn't let his angry passions rise, did he?”
“No-o; no, sir, he didn't rise nothin'. He didn't get mad neither. But you could see he felt pretty bad. Talked about 'old family glass' and 'priceless airloons' or some such. Said much as he regretted to, he should feel it no more'n justice to have somebody pay damages.”
“Humph!” Captain Sol looked very grave. “Issy, I can see your finish. You'll have to pay for somethin' that's priceless, and how are you goin' to do that? 'Old family glass,' hey? Hum! And I thought I saw the label of a Boston store on that package.”
Obed Gott leaned forward eagerly.
“Is that Major Hardee you're talkin' about?” he asked.
“Yes, sir. He's the only Major we've got. Cap'ns are plenty as June bugs, but Majors and Gen'rals are scarce. Why?”