“O, I will!” exclaimed Kate. “But what will there be about him that isn’t a bit like other men?”
“There will be two crowns upon the top of his head, the hair of one must be black and the hair of the other must be red,” replied Mrs. Dobson, “only I don’t see exactly how you can make that show in a portrait.”
Kate suddenly ceased to work, bit her lip and tried to avoid looking at her mother.
“I think we can manage it somehow,” said Kate. “Perhaps we could paint him saying his prayers on occasion of your marriage in the church.”
“We were not married in church; we were married at home, and everybody stood straight up and Captain Dobson was the tallest man in the room,” said Mrs. Dobson.
“Did they wear gloves then?” asked Mrs. Hallock.
“Yes,” returned Mrs. Dobson, “but Captain Dobson never liked to wear gloves, because one little finger was gone, and he said it made him feel as though he didn’t know what to do with that glove finger a-hanging.”
It did not take a half dozen questions more—not one of which seemed to arouse Mrs. Dobson’s curiosity—to learn all that was desired. The description of the man corresponded with the statement Mrs. Dobson made, save that the black crown had come to be white.
“Mrs. Dobson,” said Mrs. Hallock, “our errand here was to ask you to take Christmas dinner with us; but this year, since you have been so kind, we will come to you, only you must let me send down an assistant with a few articles that I am sure you will need, to accommodate so large a party.”
They left in haste. Neptune thought his little mistress must be very cross—she snatched the blanket so from his back; and he had been doing his best to stand as still as he could! Straightway to a farmhouse lying four miles from the village they went. It was here that Isaac Dobson, only and younger brother of Captain Dobson, lived; and to him they delivered the photograph and the description that had been sent, together with the story of their late visit to Mrs. Dobson.