"Jim," says I, "I guess likely I understand. I declare I'm sorry! And yet I wouldn't wonder if—"
I didn't go on. He wa'n't payin' any attention, but was lookin' over the top of his desk—lookin' with all the eyes in his head. I looked, too, and caught my breath with a jerk. The person who'd come in wa'n't Mary Blaisdell, but Georgianna Lentz.
She saw us and walked straight down to where we was. She was kind of pale and her eyes looked as if she'd been awake all night; but when she spoke 'twas right to the point—there wa'n't any hesitation about her.
"Cap'n Snow," says she, "have you heard from Mr. Parkinson?"
"Yes," says I, wonderin; "we've heard. We don't understand exactly, but perhaps that ain't necessary. I cal'late all there is left for us to do is to offer congratulations and 'go 'way back and set down,' as the boys say. You've got the contract."
"Yes," she says; "it has been given to me. But—"
Jim Henry stood up. "You'll excuse me," he says, sharp. "I'm busy."
He started to go, but she stopped him.
"No," she says; "I want you both to hear what I've got to say. Mr. Parkinson gave me the contract yesterday; but I have decided not to take it."
We both looked at her.