"Yes, I am told she is disabled by disease, and lives in the poorhouse. But you need not be frightened, little girlie; she is not at all likely to come to 'Sconset, and if she does we will take good care that she is not allowed to harm you."
"And I don't suppose she'd want to either, unless we had done something to make her angry," said Lulu.
"But we are going to Nantucket Town to stay a while when we leave
'Sconset," remarked Grace uneasily.
"But that woman will not come near you, daughter; you need, not have the least fear of it," the captain said, drawing his little girl to his knee with a tender caress.
"Ah," said Mr. Dinsmore, "I heard the other day of a curiosity at Nantucket which we must try to see while there. I think the story connected with it will particularly interest you ladies and the little girls."
"Oh, grandpa, tell it!" cried Rosie; "please do; a story is just what we want this dull day."
The others joined in the request, and Mr. Dinsmore kindly complied, all gathering closely about him, anxious to catch every word.
"The story is this: Nearly a hundred years ago there lived in Nantucket a sea-captain named Coffin, who had a little daughter of whom he was very fond."
Gracie glanced up smilingly into her father's face and nestled closer to him.
"Just as I am of mine," said his answering look and smile as he drew her closer still.