“Yes, he said somethin' to me about lookin' out for number one.”
“Did he? Humph!” The Captain's smile lost a little of its bitterness and broadened. He seemed to be thinking and to find amusement in the process.
“What you grinnin' at?” demanded Phinney.
“Oh, I was just rememberin' how he looked out for number one the first—no, the second time I met him. I don't believe he's forgot it. Maybe that's why he ain't quite so high and mighty to me as he is to the rest of you fellers. Ha! ha! He tried to patronize me when I first came back here and took this depot and I just smiled and asked him what the market price of johnny-cake was these days. He got red clear up to the brim of his tall hat. Humph! 'TWAS funny.”
“The market price of JOHNNY-CAKE! He must have thought you was loony.”
“No. I'm the last man he'd think was loony. You see I met him a fore he came here to live at all.”
“You did? Where?”
“Oh, over to Wellmouth. 'Twas the year afore I come back to East Harniss, myself, after my long stretch away from it. I never intended to see the Cape again, but I couldn't stay away somehow. I've told you that much—how I went over to Wellmouth and boarded a spell, got sick of that, and, just to be doin' somethin' and not for the money, bought a catboat and took out sailin' parties from Wixon and Wingate's summer hotel.”
“And you met Mr. Williams? Well, I snum! Was he at the hotel?”
“No, not exactly. I met him sort of casual this second time.”