human
Humph! she exclaimed again.
gpt
You don't look much like a pirate, that's one comfort!
human
I see by this letter Cap'n Abe left for me that you're his niece--his ha'f sister's child--name, Louise Grayling; and that you've come to stay a spell.
gpt
Yes, the girl rejoined, still dimpling.
human
And I know you must be Mrs. Gallup!
gpt
Bet Gallup. Yep. Ain't much chance of mistaking me, the woman said, still staring at Louise.
human
Humph! you're pretty 'nough not to need m'lasses to ketch flies. Why didn't Cap'n Abe stay to home when you come visiting him?
gpt
Why, he had his plans all laid to go away, if Uncle Amazon came.
human
Ya-as. That's so. You are _his_ niece, too, I s'pose.
gpt
Whose niece? Uncle Amazon's? I suppose I am, Louise gayly replied,
human
What's that?
gpt
I had not heard before of Cap'n Amazon, the girl explained.
human
You see, for several reasons, I have known very little about my mother's kinfolk. She died when I was a baby. We have traveled a good deal, father and I.
gpt
I see. I been told you worked for them movin' pictures. Mandy Card was over to my house last night. Well! what do you think of your Uncle Am'zon?
human
I can express no opinion until I have met him,
gpt
Haven't ye seen him?
human
Not yet.
gpt
Ye didn't see him when he came last night?
human
I was in bed.
gpt
Then how--how d'ye know Cap'n Abe's gone? Or that this man is Am'zon Silt? Nobody ever seen this critter 'round Cardhaven before,
human
Oh, no; Uncle Amazon has never been here to visit Cap'n Abe before. Cap'n Abe told me all about it, the girl explained, fearing that scandal was to take root here and now if she did not discourage it.
gpt
Of course Uncle Abe went away. He came to my door and bade me good-bye.
human
Ye heard Cap'n Abe _say_ he was goin', muttered Betty.
gpt
What _do_ you mean, Mrs. Gallup?
human
Well, if you ask me, I should say we'd been boarded by pirates. Go take a look at that Uncle Am'zon of yourn. He's in the store.
gpt
Uncle Amazon? burst out Louise.
human
A pirate?
gpt
That's what he looks like, repeated Betty Gallup, nodding her head on which the man's hat still perched.
human
I never saw the beat! Why, that man give me the shock of my life when I came in here just now!
gpt
What _do_ you mean?
human
Why, as I come in--I was a lettle early, knowin' you was here--I heard as I s'posed Cap'n Abe in the sittin'-room. I saw this letter, sealed and directed to me, on the dresser there. 'Humph!' says I, 'Who's writin' billy-doos to _me_, I'd admire to know?' And I up and opened it and see it's in Cap'n Abe's hand. Just then I heard him behind me----
gpt
Heard _who_? Not Cap'n Abe?
human
No, no! This other feller--this Cap'n Am'zon Silt, as he calls himself. But I _thought_ 'twas Cap'n Abe's step I heard. He says: 'Oh! you've found the letter?' I declare I thought 'twas your uncle's voice!
gpt
But it was my uncle's voice, of course, Louise reminded her, much amused,
human
Cap'n Amazon Silt is my uncle, too.
gpt
Humph! I s'pose so. Looks to be. If 'tis him. Anyhow, pursued the jerkily speaking Betty Gallup,
human
I turned 'round when he spoke spectin' to see Cap'n Abe--for I hadn't read this letter then--_and there he warn't_! Instead--of all the lookin' critters! There! you go take a peek at him and see what you think yourself. I'll put the breakfast on the table. He's made coffee and the mush is in the double-biler and the biscuits in the oven are just browning. I reckon he's as handy 'round the kitchen as Cap'n Abe is. Lots of these old sailors be.
gpt
Fancy! an uncle who is a pirate!