human
You mean you was intendin' to cast anchor here--with _me_?
gpt
If it is agreeable. Of course I'll pay my board if you'll let me. You have a room to spare, haven't you?
human
Land sakes, yes!
gpt
And I am not afraid to use my hands. I might even be of some slight use, and she smiled at him till his own slow smile responded, troubled and amazed though he evidently was by her determination.
human
I've roughed it a good deal with daddy-prof. I can cook--some things. And I can do housework----
gpt
Bet Gallup does that, interposed Cap'n Abe, finally getting his bearings.
human
Hi-mighty, ye did take me aback all standin', Niece Louise! Ye did, for a fac'. But why not? Land sakes, there's room enough, an' to spare! Ye don't hafter put them pretty han's to housework. Betty Gallup'll do all that. An' you don't have to pay no board money. As for cookin'----That remin's me. I'd better git to work on our supper. We'll be sharp for it 'fore long.
gpt
And--and I may stay? asked Louise, with some little embarrassment now.
human
You are sure it won't inconvenience you?
gpt
Bless you, no! I cal'late it's more likely to inconvenience _you_, and Cap'n Abe chuckled mellowly.
human
I don't know what sort o' 'roughin' it' you've done with your pa; but if there's anything much rougher than an ol' man's housekeepin' down here on the Cape, it must be pretty average rough!
gpt
You can't scare me!
human
Ain't a-tryin' to, he responded, eying her admiringly.
gpt
You're an able seaman, I don't dispute. An' we'll git along fine. Hi-mighty! there's Am'zon!
human
Do you suppose your brother will object if he does come, Cap'n Abe?
gpt
Land sakes, no! the storekeeper quickly assured her.
human
Go away?
gpt
Yes. Like poor old Jerry, mebbe, said Cap'n Abe, looking at the caged bird.
human
Mebbe I'll be glad to come back again--and in a hurry. But while Cap'n Am'zon is here I can take a vacation that I've long hankered for, Niece Louise. I--I got my plans all made.
gpt
Don't for one moment think of changing them on my account, Louise said briskly.
human
I shall like Uncle Amazon immensely if he's anything like you, Cap'n Abe.
gpt
He--he ain't so _much_ like me, confessed the storekeeper.
human
Not in looks he ain't. But hi-mighty! I know he'll be as pleased as Punch to see ye.
gpt
Are you sure of that?
human
Wait till you see how he takes to ye, declared her reassuring uncle.
gpt
Now, lemme git my apern on and set to work on supper.
human
Can't I help, Cap'n Abe?
gpt
In them things?
human
Well--I'll have plenty of house dresses when my trunks come. I left my checks at the station for a man named Perry Baker. They said he'd bring them over to-night.
gpt
He will, Cap'n Abe assured her. But he stopped a moment, stock-still in the middle of the room, and stared at her unseeingly. Evidently his mind was fixed upon an idea suddenly suggested by her speech.
human
He will,
gpt
I'll get the fat kettle over an' the fry-cage ready. Amiel brought me a likely cod. 'Tain't been out o' the water two hours.
human
I love fish,
gpt
Lucky you do, if you're going to stay a spell on Cape Cod. For that's what you'll eat mornin', noon, and night. Fish and clams, an' mebbe a pot o' baked beans on a Saturday, or a chicken for Sunday's dinner. I don't git much time to cook fancy.
human
But can't this woman who comes to do the work cook for you?
gpt
She can't cook for me, snorted Cap'n Abe.
human
I respect my stomach too much to eat after Bet Gallup. She's as good a man afore the mast as airy feller in Cardhaven. An' that's where she'd oughter be. But never let her in the galley.
gpt
Oh, well, Louise said cheerfully.
human
I'm a dab at camp cooking myself, as I told you. Uncle Amazon and I will make out--if he comes.
gpt
Oh! Ah! 'Hem! said Cap'n Abe, clearing his throat. He stooped to pick up a dropped potlid and came up very red in the face.
human
You needn't borrow any trouble on that score, Cap'n Am'zon's as good a cook as I be.
gpt
I might have waited on him, Cap'n Abe,
human
Land sakes! so you might, the storekeeper agreed.
gpt
Though if he'd seen you behind my counter I reckon that young 'un of 'Liathel Grummet's would have been struck dumber than nature made him in the fust place.
human
Say! is it true there's one o' them movin' picture actresses goin' to stop here with you, Cap'n Abe? Ma heard so.
gpt
You tell your ma, Cap'n Abe said sternly,