"Humph！"gruntedtheyoungman；"Iguessyou’renotasdangerousasyoulook。Staywhereyouareandkeepstill。"
Heturnedtoenterthekitchen，turningagainjustintimetofindthepupathisheels。Heliftedtheshovel，andJobjumpedfranticallyoutofreach，satdowninaclumpofbeachgrass，liftedhisnosetotheskyandexpressedhisfeelingsinahowlofuttermisery。
"Good——heavens！"observedJohnBrownfervently，and，shiftingtheshoveltohislefthand，rubbedhisforeheadwithhisright。Jobhowledoncemoreandgazedathimwithsorrowfulappeal。Thesituationwassoridiculousthattheyoungmanbegantolaugh。Thismerrimentappearedtoencouragethepup，whostoppedhowlingandbegantocaper，throwingtheloosesandfrombeneathhispawsinshowers。
"What’sthematter，oldboy？"inquiredBrown。"Lonesome，areyou？"
Jobwasmakinghimselfthecenterofasmall-sizedsandspout。
"Humph！Well……well，allright。I’mnotgoingtohurtyou。
Staywhereyouare，andIwon’tshutthedoor。"
Butthiscompromisewasnotsatisfactory，becausethemomenttheyoungmanstartedtocrossthethresholdthedogstartedtofollow。
WhenBrownhalted，hefollowedsuit——andhowled。Thenthesubstituteassistantsurrenderedunconditionally。
"Allright，"hesaid。"Comein，then，ifyouwantto。Comein！butforgoodnesssakekeepstillwhenyouarein。"
Hestrodeintothekitchen，leavingthedooropen。Jobslunkafterhim，andcrouchedwithhismuzzleacrossthesill，evidentlynotyetcertainthathisvictorywascomplete。Hedidnothowl，however，andhislateadversarywasthankfulfortheomission。
Brownbethoughthimselfofthewaterinthewashboilerand，removingthecover，testeditwithhisfinger。Itwassteadilyheating，butnotyetattheboilingpoint。Hepushedtheboileraside，liftedalidoftherangeandinspectedthefire。Frombehindhimcameayelp，another，athump，andthenaseriesofthumpsandyelps。HeturnedandsawJobinthecenterofthefloorapparentlyhavingafit。
Themomenthisbackwasturned，thepuphadsneakedintothekitchen。Itwasnotalargekitchen，andJobwasdistinctlyalargedog。Also，hewassuspiciousoffurtherassaultswiththefireshovelandhadendeavoredtofindahidingplaceunderthetable。
Incrawlingbeneaththisarticleoffurniturehehadknockedoffasheetoftheflypaper。Thishadfallen"buttersidedown"uponhisback，andstuckfast。Hereachedafttopullitloosewithhisteethandhadencounteredasecondsheetlaidonachair。Thishadstucktohisneck。Jobwasanapprehensiveanimalbynatureandastheresultofexperience，andhisnerveswereeasilyunstrung。Heforgottheshovel，forgotthehumanwhomhehadbeenfearfullytryingtopropitiate，forgoteverythingexceptthedreadfulobjectswhichclungtohimandpulledhishair。Herolledfrombeneaththetable，ashrieking，kicking，snappingcyclone。Andthatkitchenwasnoplaceforacyclone。
Herolledandwhirledforaninstant，thenscrambledtohisfeetandbeganrunninginwideningcircles。Browntriedtoseizehimashepassed，buthemightaswellhaveseizedarailroadtrain。Anotherchair，alsoloadedwithflypaper，upset，andJobaddedathirdsheettohiscollection。Thisoneplastereditselfacrosshisnoseandeyes。Heceasedrunningforwardandbegantoleaphighintheairandbackwards。Thenetcontainingthebiglobsterfelltothefloor。ThenJohnBrownfledtotheopenair，leanedagainstthesideofthebuildingandscreamedwithlaughter。
Insidethekitchentheuproarwasterrific。Howls，shrillyelps，thumpsandcrashes。Thencameacrashlouderthananyprecedingit，asplashofwateracrossthesill，andfromthedoorwayleaped，orflew，anobjectsteaminganddripping，flutteringwithflypaper，andwithagiantlobsterclampedfirmlytoitstail。Thelobsterwasknockedoffagainstthedoorpost，buttherestoftheexhibitkeptonaroundthecornerofthehouse，shriekingasitflew。Browncollapsedinthesandandlaugheduntilhissidesachedandhewastooweaktolaughlonger。
Atlasthegotupandstaggeredafterit。Hewasstilllaughingwhenhereachedthebackyard，buttherehestoppedlaughingandutteredanexclamationofimpatienceandsomealarm。
OfJobtherewasnosign，thoughfromsomewhereamidthedunessoundedyelps，screamsandthebreakingoftwigsasthepersecutedonefledblindlythroughthebayberryandbeachplumbushes。ButBrownwasnotanxiousaboutthedog。WhatcausedhimtoshoutandthenbreakintoarunwasthesightofJoshua，theoldhorse，gallopingattopspeedalongtheroadtothesouth。Evenhissedateandancientcalmhadnotbeenproofagainsttheapparitionwhichburstfromthekitchen。Inhisfrighthehadbrokenhishalterropeandmanaged——amiracle，consideringhisage——toleapthepasturefenceandrun。
ThathorsewastheappleofSethAtkins’seye。Thelightkeeperbelievedhimtobeawonderofstrengthandendurance，andneverleftthelightswithoutcautioninghishelpertokeepaneyeonJoshua，"’causeifanythinghappenedtohimI’dhavetohuntamightylongspelltofindanotherthatcouldtechhim。"Brownacceptedthistrustwithcomposure，feelingmorallycertainthattheonlythinglikelytohappentoJoshuawasdeathfromovereatingoroldage。Andnowsomethinghadhappened——Joshuawasrunningaway。
Therewasbutonecoursetotake；Brownmustleavethegovernment’spropertyinitsowncareandcapturethathorse。Hehadlaugheduntilrunningseemedanimpossibility，butrunhemust，anddid，afterafashion。ButJoshuawasrunning，too，andhewasfrightened。Hegallopedlikeacolt，andtheassistantlightkeepergaineduponhimveryslowly。
Theroadwascrookedandhilly，andthesandinitsrutswasdeep。
Brownwouldnothavegainedatall，butforthefactthatthehorse，fromlonghabit，kepttotheroadwayandnevertriedshortcuts。
Hispursuerdid，and，therefore，justasJoshuaenteredthegroveonthebluffabovePounddugSlough，Browncaughtupwithhimandmadeagrabattheendofthetrailinghalter。Hemissedit，andthehorsetookafreshstart。
Theroadthroughthegrovewasovergrownwithyoungtreesandbushes，andamidthesetheanimalhadadistinctadvantage。Notuntiltheouteredgeofthegrovewasreacheddidthepantingassistantgetanotheropportunityattherope。Thistimeheseizeditandheldon。
"Whoa！"heshouted。"Whoa！"
ButJoshuadidnot"whoa"atonce。Hekeptonalongtheedgeofthehigh，sandyslope。Brown，fromthetailofhiseye，caughtaglimpseofthewindingchanneloftheSloughbeneathhim，ofasmallschoonerheeledoveronthemudflatatitsmargin，andofthefigureofamanatworkbesideit。
"Whoa！"heorderedoncemore。"Whoa，Josh！standstill！"
Perhapsthehorsewouldhavestoodstill——heseemedabouttodoso——
butfromthedistance，somewhereontheroadhehadjusttraversed，cameahowl，long-drawnandterrifyinglyfamiliar。Joshuaheardit，jumpedsidewise，jerkedatthehalterand，asifplaying"snapthewhip，"senthiswould-becaptorheelsoverheadovertheedgeofthebankandrollingdownthesandyslope。ThehalterflewfromBrown’shands，herolledandbumpedandclutchedatclumpsofgrassandbushes。Thenhestruckthebeachandstopped，spread-eagledonthewetsand。
Avoicesaid："Well——by——TIME！"
Brownlookedup。SethAtkins，apaintpailinonehandandadrippingbrushintheother，wasstandingbesidehim，blankastonishmentwrittenonhisfeatures。
"Well——bytime！"saidSethagain，andwithevenstrongeremphasis。
Thesubstituteassistantraisedhimselftohisknees，rubbedhisbackwithonehand，andthen，turning，satinthesandandreturnedhissuperior’sastonishedgazewithoneofequalbewilderment。
"Hello！"hegasped。"Well，byGeorge！it’syou，isn’tit！Whatareyoudoinghere？"
Thelightkeeperputdownthepailofpaint。
"WhatamIdoin’？"herepeated。"WhatamIdoin’——？Say！"Hisastonishmentchangedtosuspicionandwrath。"NeveryoumindwhatI’mdoin’，"hewenton。"That’smyaffairs。WhatareYOUdoin’
here？That’swhatIwanttoknow。"
Brownrubbedthesandoutofhishair。
"Idon’tknowexactlywhatIamdoing——yet，"hepanted。
"Youdon’t，hey？Well，you’dbetterfindout。MaybeIcanhelpyoutoremember。Sneakin’afterme，wa’n’tyou？Spyin’，tofindoutwhatIwasupto，hey？"
Heshookthewetpaintbrushangrilyathishelper。Brownlookedathimforaninstant；thenherosetohisfeet。
"Spyin’onme，wasyou？"repeatedSeth。
"Didn’tItellyouthatmindin’yourownbusinesswaspartofourdickerifyouwasgoin’tostayatEastborolighthouse？Didn’tI
tellyouthat？"
Theyoungmanansweredwithacontemptuousshrug。Turningonhisheel，hestartedtowalkaway。Atkinssprangafterhim。
"Answerme，"heordered。"Didn’tIsayyou’dgottomindyourownbusiness？"
"Youdid，"coldly。
"YoubetIdid！Andwasyoumindin’it？"
"No。Iwasmindingyours——likeafool。Nowyoumaymindityourself。"
"Holdonthere！Whereyougoin’？"
"Backtothelights。Andyoumaygotothedevil，oranywhereelsethatsuitsyourconvenience，andtakeyourconfoundedmenageriewithyou。"
"Mymenag——Whatonearth？Say，holdon！Mercyonus，what’sthat？"
Fromthetopofthebluffcameacrashingandaseriesofyelps。
Throughthethicketofbeachplumbusheswasthrustayellowhead，fringedwithtornfragmentsofflypaper。
"What’sthat？"demandedtheastonishedlightkeeper。
Brownlookedatthewhiningapparitioninthebushesandsmiledmaliciously。
"That，"heobserved，"isJob。"
"JOB？"
"Yes。"Fromsomewhereinthegrovecameathrashingofbranchesandafrightenedneigh。"Andthat，"hecontinued，"isJoshua，I
presume。IftherearemoreOldTestamentpatriarchsinthevicinity，Idon’tknowwheretheyare，andIdon’tcare。Youmayhuntforthemyourself。I’mgoingtofollowyouradviceandmindmyownbusiness。Goodby。"
Hestrodeoffupthebeach。Job，atthetopofthebank，startedtofollow，butawell-aimedpebblecausedhimtododgeback。
"Holdon！"roaredthelightkeeper。"MaybeImadeamistake。
Perhapsyouwa’n’tspyin’onme。Don’tgooffmad。I……Wait！"
ButJohnBrowndidnotwait。Hestroderapidlyawayupthebeach。
Sethstaredafterhim。Fromthegrove，wherehishalterhadcaughtfirmlyintheforkofayoungpine，Joshuathrashedandneighed。
"Aa-oo-ow！"howledJob，fromthebushes。
AnhourlaterAtkins，leadingthewearyandhomesickJoshuabythebridle，trudgedinatthelighthouseyard。Job，stillornamentedwithremnantsoftheflypaper，slunkathisheels。Sethstabledthehorseand，aftersomemanoeuvering，managedtodecoythedogdowntheslopetotheboathouse，whereheclosedthedooruponhimandhiswhines。Thenheclimbedbacktothekitchen。
Thetablewassetforone，andinthewashboilerontherangethegiantlobsterwascooking。Ofthesubstituteassistantkeepertherewasnosign，but，aftersearching，Sethfoundhiminhisroom。
"Well？"observedAtkins，gruffly，"wemight’swellhavesupper，hadn’twe？"
Browndidnotseeminterested。"Yoursupperisready，Ithink，"heanswered。"Itriednottoforgetanything。"
"Iguess’tis；seemstobe。Comeon，andwe’lleat。"
"Ihaveeaten，thankyou。"
"Youhave？Alone？"
"Yes。That，too，"withemphasis，"isapartofmybusiness。"
Thelightkeeperstared，grunted，andthenwentoutoftheroom。Heatealonelymeal，notofthelobster——hekeptthatforanotheroccasion——butonemadeupofcoldscrapsfromthepantry。Hewandereduneasilyaboutthepremises，quietedJob’swailsforthetimebyagiftofeatableoddsandendstossedintotheboathouse，smoked，triedtoread，and，whenitgrewdusk，litthelampsinthetowers。Atlasthewalkedtothecloseddoorofhishelper’sroomandrapped。
"Well？"wastheungraciousresponse。
"It’sme，Atkins，"heannounced，hesitatingly。"I’dliketospeaktoyou，ifyoudon’tmind。"
"Onbusiness？"
"Well，no——notexactly。Say，Brown，IguesslikelyI’doughttobegyourpardonagain。Ical’lateI’vemadeanothermistake。Ijedgeyouwa’n’tspyin’onmewhenyoudovedownthatbankin’。"
"Yourjudgmentisgoodthistime。Iwasnot。"
"No，I’msartinyouwa’n’t。Iapologizeandtakeitallback。NowcanIcomein？"
Thedoorwasthrownopen。Sethentered，lookingsheepish，andsatdowninthelittlecane-seatedrocker。
"Say，"hebegan，afteramomentofuncomfortablesilence，"wouldyoumind——nowthatI’vebeggedyourpardonandall——tellin’mewhatdidhappenwhileIwasaway。Iimagine，judgin’bythelooksofthingsinthekitchen，thattherewas——er——well，consider’bledoin’，astheboyssay。"
Hegrinned。Browntriedtobeserious，butwasobligedtosmileinreturn。
"I’lltellyou，"hesaid。"Ofcourseyouknowwherethat——er——
remarkabledogcamefrom？"
"Icanguess，"drily。"HenryG。’spresent，ain’the？Humph！Well，I’doughttohaveknownthatanythingHenrywouldGIVEawaywaslikelytoberemarkableinallsortsofways。Allright！that’soneHenry’sgotonme。TomorrowafternoonmeandJobtakeatripbacktoEastboro，andoneofusstaysthere。Itmaybeme，butIhavemydoubts。IagreedtotakeaDOGontrial，notayeller-jaundicedcowwithachurchorganinsideofit。Hearthecritterwhoopin’downthereintheboathouse！Andhe’seateverythingthat’schewableonthereservationalready。He’safamineonlegs，thatpup。Butnevermindhim。He’sbeentried——andfoundguilty。Tellmewhathappened。"
Brownbeganthetaleoftheafternoon’sperformances，beginningwithhisexperienceasalobstercatcher。Sethsmiled，thenchuckled，andfinallyburstintoroarsoflaughter，inwhichthenarratorjoined。
"Jiminycrimps！"exclaimedSeth，whenthestorywasfinished。"Oh，byjiminycrimps！thatbeatstheDutch，andeverybody’sbeentoldwhattheDutchbeat。Ha，ha！ho，ho！Brown，Iapologizealloveragain。Idon’twonderyouwasputoutwhenIaccusedyouofspyin’。
Wonderyouhadn’trizupoffthatsandandbutcheredmewhereI
stood。Cal’latethat’swhatI’dhavedoneinyourplace。Well，I
hopethere’snohardfeelin’snow。"
"No。Yourapology，isaccepted。"
"That’sgood。Er——er——say，you——youmusthavebeensortofsurprisedtoseemepaintin’theDaisyM。"
"Thewhich？"
"TheDaisyM。That’sthenameofthatoldschoonerIwastoworkon。"
"Indeed……Howistheweathertonight，clear？"
"Yes，it’sfairnow，butlookssortofthicktotheeast’ard。Isayyoumusthavebeensurprisedtoseemepaintin’theDaisyM。I’vebeentinkerin’onthatoldboat，offandon，eversincelastfall。
Boughtherforeightdollarsofthefellerthatownedher，andshewasahulkforsartinthen。I’vecaulkedherupandriggedher，afterafashion。Nowshemightfloat，ifshehadachance。Everyafternoon，prettynigh，I’vebeenather。Don’tknowexactlywhyI
doit，neither。AndyetIdo，too。Prob’lyyou’vewonderedwhereI
wastakin"allthatoldcanvasandstuff。I——"
"Excuseme，Atkins。Imindmyownbusiness，youknow。Iasknoquestions，andyouareundernoobligationtotellmeanything。"
"Iknow，Iknow。"Thelightkeepernoddedsolemnly。Heclaspedhiskneewithhishandsandrockedbackandforthinhischair。"I
know，"hewenton，anabsent，wistfullookinhiseye；"butyoumusthavewondered，justthesame。Iboughtthatcraftbecause——well，becausesheremindedmeofoldtimes，Ical’late。Iusedtocommandaschoonerlikeheronce；biggerandlotsmoreable，ofcourse，butafishin’schooner，sameassheusedtobe。AndIwasagoodskipper，ifIdosayit。MycrewsjumpedwhenIsaidtheword，nowItellyou。That’swhereIbelong——onthedeckofavessel。I’mamanthere——aman。"
Hepaused。Brownmadenocomment。Sethcontinuedtorockandtotalk；heseemedtobethinkingaloud。
"Yes，sir，"hedeclared，withasigh；"whenIwasafloatIwasaman，andfolksrespectedme。Ijustdolovesaltwaterandsailin’
craft。That’swhyIboughttheDaisyM。I’vebeenriggin’herandcaulkin’herjustforthefunofdoin’it。She’llneverfloatagain。Itwouldtakeatidelikeafloodtogetheroffthemflats。
ButwhenI’maboardorputterin’aroundher，I’mhappy——happier，I
mean。ItmakesmeforgetI’magood-for-nothin’derelict，strandedinanoldwoman’sjoboflightkeepin’。Ah，hum-a-day，youngfeller，youdon’tknowwhatitistohavebeensomebody，andthen，becauseyouwasafoolanddidafoolthing，tobenothin’——nothin’！Youdon’tknowwhatthatis。"
JohnBrowncaughthisbreath。Hisfistdescendeduponthewindowledgebesidehim。
"Don’tI！"hegroaned。"ByGeorge，don’tI！Doyousuppose——"
Hestoppedshort。Atkinsstartedandcameoutofhisdream。
"Why——why，yes，"hesaid，hastily；"Is’poselikelyyoudo……
Well，goodnight。I’vegottogoonwatch。Seeyouinthemornin’。"
CHAPTERVI
THEPICNIC
SethwastruetohispromiseconcerningJob。Thenextafternoonthatremarkablecaninewasdecoyed，bytheusualbone，intotheboxinwhichhehadarrived。Beingin，thecoverwassecurelyrenailedabovehim。Brownandthelight-keeperliftedtheboxintothebackpartofthe"openwagon，"andAtkinsdrovetriumphantlyaway，thepup’sagonizedprotestsagainstthejourneyservingasspurstourgeJoshuafasteralongtheroadtothevillage。When，aboutsixo’clock，Sethreenteredtheyard，hewasgrinningbroadly。
"Well，"inquiredBrown，"didhetakehimbackwillingly？"
"Who？HenryG。？Idon’tknowaboutthewillin’part，buthe’lltakehimback。Iattendedtothat。"
"Whatdidhesay？Didhethinkyouungratefulforrefusingtoaccepthispresent？"
Atkinslaughedaloud。"Hedidn’tsaynothin’，"hedeclared。"Hedidn’tknowitwhenIleftEastboro。Iwa’n’tsuchafoolastocartthatcrittertothestore，whereallthegang’roundthestorecouldhollerandmakefun。Notmuch！Idrovewayroundtheotherway，upthebackroad，andunloadedhimatHenry’shouse。I
cal’latedtoleavehimwithAuntOlive——that’sHenry’ssister，keepin’houseforhim——butshe’dgoneouttosewin’circle，andtherewa’n’tnobodytohome。Thesidedoorwasunlocked，soI
luggedthatboxintothesettin’roomandleftitthere。Prettynighbrokemyback；andthateverlastin’JobholleredsoIthoughtthewholetownwouldhearhimandcomerunnin’tostopthemurderin’
thatthey’dcal’latewasbein’done。Butthereain’tnonighneighbors，andthosethatarenighestain’tonspeakin’termswithHenry；rutherhavehimmurderedthannot，Ishouldn’twonder。SoI
leftJobinhisboxinthesettin’roomandclearedout。"
Thesubstituteassistantsmileddelightedly。
"Goodenough！"heexclaimed。"WhatapleasantsurpriseforfriendHenryorhishousekeeper。"
"Ho，ho！ain’tit！Iratherguess’twillbeHenryhimselfthat’ssurprisedfust。AuntOliveneverleavessewin’circletillthelastbitofsupper’seatup——she’sgotsomeofherbrother’sstinginessinhermake-up——soIcal’lateHenry’llgethomeaforeshedoes。I
shouldn’twonder，"withanexuberantchuckle，"ifthatsettin’room’
wassomestirredupwhenheseesit。ThepuphadloosenedtheboxcoveraforeIleft。Ho，ho！"
"Butwon’thesendthedogbackhereagain？"
"No，hewon’t。Ileftanoteforhimonthetable。Therewasconsider’blegingerineverylineofit。No，Jobwon’tbesenthere，nomatterwhatbecomesofhim。AndifanythingSHOULDbebrokeinthatsettin’room——well，therewasSOMEdamagedonetoourkitchen。No，IguessHenryG。andmearesquare。Hewon’tmakeanyfuss；hewantstokeepourtrade，yousee。"
Itwasatrueprophecy。Thestorekeepermadenotrouble，andJobremainedatEastborountilaforayonaneighbor’schickensresultedinhisremovalfromthisvaleoftears。Neitherthelightkeepernorhishelpereversawhimagain，andwhenSethnextvisitedthestoreandsolicitouslyinquiredconcerningthepup’shealth，HenryG。
merelylookedfoolishandchangedthesubject。
Butthedog’sshortsojournattheTwin-Lightshadservedtosolveonemystery，thatofAtkins’sdailyexcursionstoPounddugSlough。
Hewenttheretoworkontheoldschooner，theDaisyM。Sethmadenomoredisclosuresconcerninghispastlife——thatremainedasecret——buthedidsuggesthishelper’sgoingtoinspecttheschooner。"Justwalkacrossandlookherover，"hesaid。"I’dliketoknowwhatyouthinkofher。SeeifIain’tmakin’aprettygoodjoboutofnothin’。FORnothin’，ofcourse，"headded，gloomily；
"butitkeepsmefromthinkin’toomuch。Goandseeher，that’sagoodfeller。"
Sotheyoungmandidgo。Heclimbedaboardthestrandedcraft——aforlornpictureshemade，lyingonhersideinthemud——andwassurprisedtofindhowmuchhadbeenmanufactured"outofnothing。"
Herseams，thosewhichthesunhadopened，werecaulkedneatly；herdeckwascleanandwhite；shewaspartiallyrigged，withnewandoldcanvasandropes；andtohislandsman’seyesshelookedalmostfitforsea。ButwhenhesaidasmuchtoSeth，thelatterlaughedscornfully。
"Fitfornothin’，"scoffedthelightkeeper。"Icouldmakeherfit，maybe，ifIwantedtospendmoneyenough，butIdon’t。Ican’tgetatherstarboardside，that’sdowninthemud，andIcal’lateshe’dleaklikeaskimmer。She’sonlygotafores’landajib，andthejib’sonlyalittleonethatusedtobelongtoathirty-footsloop。
Heranchor’sgone，andIwouldn’ttrusthermaintopmasttocarryanythingbigger’nahandkerchief，northatinabreezenomorepowerfulthanacanarybird’sbreath。And，asItoldyou，itwouldtakeatidelikeafloodtofloather。No，she’snogood，andneverwillbe；but，"withasigh，"Igetalittlefunfussin’overher。"
"Er——bytheway，"headded，alittlelater，"ofcourseyouwon’tmentiontonobodywhatItoldyouabout——aboutmybein’afishin’
skipperonce。Notthatanybodyevercomeshereforyoutomentionitto，butIwouldn’twant……Yousee，nobodyinEastborooranywheresontheCapeknowswhereIcomefrom，andso……Oh，allright，allright。Iknowyouain’tthekindtotalk。Mindourownbusiness，that’sthemottoyouandmecruiseunder，hey？"
Yet，althoughtheconversationinthesubstituteassistant’sroomwasnotagainreferredtobyeither，ithadtheeffectofmakingtheoddlyassortedpairabitcloserintheircompanionship。Themutualtrustwasstrengthenedbythelightkeeper’shalfconfidenceandBrown’ssympatheticreceptionofit。Eachwaslonely，eachhadmomentswhenhefelthemustexpresshishiddenfeelingstosomeone，and，thoughneitherrecognizedthefact，itwascertainthatthetimewascomingwhenallmysterieswouldbemysteriesnolonger。
Andonedayoccurredaseriesofridiculoushappeningswhich，biddingfairatfirsttoendinaquarreltherelationshipbetweenthetwo，insteadrevealedinbothakindredtraitthatremovedthelastbarrier。
Atalittlebeforetenonthisparticularmorning，Brown，busyinthekitchen，heardvigorouslanguageoutside。ItwasAtkinswhowasspeaking，andtheassistantwonderedwhoonearthhecouldbetalkingto。Aglancearoundthedoorpostshowedthathewas，apparently，talkingtohimself——atleast，therewasnootherhumanbeingtobeseen。Heheldinhishandabatteredpairofmarineglassesandoccasionallyhepeeredthroughthem。Eachtimehedidsohissoliloquybecamemoreanimatedandprofane。
"What’sthematter？"demandedBrown，emergingfromthehouse。
"Matter？"repeatedSeth。"Matterenough！Here！takeasquintthroughthemglassesandtellmewho’sinthatbuggycomin’yonder？"
Thebuggy，ablackdotfardownthesandyroadleadingfromthevillage，wasrockinganddippingoverthedunes。Theassistanttooktheglasses，adjustedthem，andlookedasdirected。
"Why！"hesaidslowly，"therearethreepeopleinthatbuggy。A
man——and——"
"Andtwowomen；that’swhatIthought。Dumidiotscomin’overtopicnicandspendtheday，sure’staxes。Andthey’llwanttobeshowedroundthelightsandeverywheres，andthey’llaskmore’nfortymillionquestions。Consarntheluck！"
Brownlookedtroubled。Hehadnodesiretomeetstrangers。
"Howdoyouknowthey’recominghere？"heasked。Theanswerwasconclusive。
"Because，"snarledSeth，"asIshouldthinkyou’dknowbythistime，thereain’tnootherplaceroundheretheyCOULDcometo。"
Amomentlater，headded，"Well，you’llhavetoshow’emround。"
"Iwill？"
"Sartin。That’spartoftheassistantkeeper’sjob。"
Hechuckledashesaidit。Thatchucklegratedontheyoungman’snerves。
"I’mnottheassistant，"hedeclaredcheerfully。
"Youain’t？Whatareyouthen？"
"Oh，justahelper。Idon’tgetanywages。You’vetoldmeyourself，overandover，thatIhavenoregularstandinghere。And，accordingtothegovernmentrules，thoseyou’vegotpostedinthekitchen，thelightkeeperisobligedtoshowvisitorsabout。I
wouldn’tbreaktherulesfortheworld。Goodmorning。ThinkI’llgodowntothebeach。"
Hestalkedawaywhistling。Atkins，hisfaceflaming，roaredafterhimaprofaneopinionconcerninghisactions。Thenhewentintothekitchen，slammingthedoorwithabang。
Sometwentyminuteslaterthehelperheardhisnameshoutedfromthetopofthebluff。
"Mr。Brown！Isay！Ahoythere，Mr。Brown！Comeuphereaminute，won’tye？"
Brownclamberedupthepath。Alittleman，withgreythroatwhiskers，andwearinganantiquatedstrawhat，theedgeofthebrimtrimmedwithblackbraid，wasstandingwaitingforhim。
"Sorrytotroubleyou，Mr。Brown，"stammeredthelittleman，"butyoubeMr。Brown，ain’tyou？"
"Iam。Yes。"
"Well，Ical’latedyouwas。Myname’sStover，AbijahStover。I
liveovertoTrumet。Meandmywifedroveoverforasortofpicniclike。We’vegothercousin，Mrs。SophiaHains，along。Sophi’sawidowfromBoston，andsheain’tneverseenalighthouseafore。I
knowSethAtkinsslightly，andIwascal’latin’he’dshowusaround，butbein’ashe’ssosick——"
"Sick？IsMr。Atkinssick？"
"Why，yes。Didn’tyouknowit？He’sinthebedroomtheregroanin’
somethin’terrible。Hetoldmenottosaynothin’tothewomenfolks，buttohailyou，andyou’dlookoutforus。Didn’tyouknowhewaslaidup？Why，he——"
Browndidnotwaittohearmore。Hestrodetothehouse，withMr。
Stoverathisheels。Onhiswayhecaughtaglimpseofthebuggy，thehorsedozingbetweentheshafts。Ontheseatofthebuggyweretwowomen，oneplumpandround-faced，theotherthinandgaunt。
Mr。Stoverpantedbehindhim。
"Say，Mr。Brown，"hewhispered，astheyenteredthekitchen；"don’ttellmywifenorSophiaboutSeth’sbein’sick。Betternotsayawordtothemaboutit。"
Thetoneinwhichthiswasspokenmadethesubstituteassistantcurious。
"Whynot？"heasked。
"’Cause——well，’causeHannah’shobbyissickfolks，asyoumightsay。Ifthere’sacatintheneighborhoodthat’sailin’she’salwaysdosin’ofitupandfixin’medicineforit，andthelikeofthat。AndSophi’soneofthem’NewThoughters’anddon’tbelieveanybody’sgotanyrighttobesick。Thetwoof’emain’tdonenothin’butargueandrowoverdiseasesandimaginationandmedicineseversinceSophigothere。IftheyknewSethwaslaidup，Ihonestlybelievethey’ddroppicnicandeverythin’andstartfightin’overwhetherhewasreallysickorjustthoughthewas。
AndIsortoffiggeredonhavin’aquietdayoff。"
Brownfoundthelightkeeperstretchedonthebedinhisroom。Hewasdressed，withtheexceptionofcoatandboots，andwhentheyoungmanenteredhegroanedfeebly。
"What’sthematter？"demandedthealarmedhelper。
"Oh，my！"groanedSeth。"Oh，my！"
"Areyouinpain？Whatisit？ShallI’phoneforthedoctor？"
"No，no。Nousegettin’thedoctor。I’llbeallrightbyandby。
It’soneofmyattacks。Ihave’emeveryonceinawhile。Justletmealone，andletmelayherewithoutbein’disturbed；thenI’llgetbetter，Iguess。"
"Butit’ssosudden！"
"Iknow。Theyalwayscomeonthatway。Nowrunalong，likeagoodfeller，andleavemetomysuff’rin’s。O-oh，dear！"
Muchtroubled，Brownturnedtothedoor。Ashewasgoingouthehappenedtolookback。Thedresserstoodagainstthewallbeyondthebed，andinitsmirrorhecaughtaglimpseofthefaceofthesickman。Onthatface，whichshouldhavebeendistortedwithagony，wasabroadgrin。
BrownfoundthelittleStovermanwaitingforhiminthekitchen。
"Beyouready？"heasked。
"Ready？"repeatedBrown，absently。"Readyforwhat？"
"Why，toshowusroundthelights。Sophi，sheain’tneverseenoneafore。Atkinssaidthat，bein’ashewasn’tabletoleavehisbed，you’dshowusaround。"
"Hedid，hey？"
"Yes。Hesaidyou’dbegladto。"
"Hum！"Mr。Brown’stonewasthatofoneuponwhom，outofdarkness，alighthassuddenlyburst。"Isee，"hemused，thoughtfully。"Yes，yes。Isee。"
Foraminutehestoodstill，evidentlypondering。Then，withatwinkleinhiseye，hestrodeoutofthehouseandwalkedbrisklyacrosstothebuggy。
"Goodmorning，ladies，"hesaid，removingthenewcapwhichSethhadrecentlypurchasedforhiminEastboro。"Mr。Stovertellsmeyouwishtobeshownthelights。"
Theplumpwomananswered。"Yes，"shesaid，briskly，"wedo。Areyouanewkeeper？Where’sMr。Atkins？"
"Mr。Atkins，Iregrettosay，"beganBrown，"isill。He——"
Stover，standingathiselbow，interruptednervously。
"Mr。Brownhere’llshowusaround，"hesaidquickly。"Sethsaidhewould。"
"Ishallbehappy，"concurredthatyounggentleman。"YoumustexcusemeifIseemratherworried。Mr。Atkins，mychief——Ibelieveyouknowhim，Mrs。Stover——hasbeentakensuddenlyill，andis，apparently，sufferingmuchpain。Theattackwasverysudden，andI——"
"Sick？"Theplumpwomanseemedactuallytoprickupherears，likeasleepycatatthesoundofthedinnerbell。"IsSethsick？Andyouallalonewithhimhere？Can’tIdoanythingtohelp？"
"Allhewantsistobeleftalone，"putinherhusbandanxiously。
"Hesaidsohimself。"
"Doyouknowwhat’sthematter？Haveyougotanymedicineforhim？"
Mrs。Stoverwasalreadyclimbingoutofthebuggy。
"No，"repliedBrown。"Ihaven’t。Thatis，Ihaven’tgivenhimanyyet。"
Theslimwoman，Mrs。HainsofBoston，nowbrokeintotheconversation。
"Goodthing！"shesnapped。"Mostmedicine’snothingbutopiumandalcohol。Fillthepoorcreaturefullofdrugsand——"
"Is’poseyou’dsetandpreachNewThoughtathim！"snappedMrs。
Stover。"Asifabodycouldbecuredbyhotair！IbelieveI’llgorightinandseehim。Don’tyous’poseIcouldhelp，Mr。Brown？"
Mr。Brownseemedpleased，butreluctant。"It’sawfullygoodofyou，"hesaid。"Icouldn’tthinkoftroublingyouwhenyou’vecomesofaronapleasureexcursion。ButIamatmywitsend。"
"Don’tsayanotherword！"Mrs。Stover’sbulkyfigurewasalreadyonthewaytothedoorofthehouse。"I’monlytoogladtodowhatI
can。And，ifIdosayit，thatshouldn’t，I’malwaysrealhandyinasickroom。’Bijah，bequiet；Idon’tcareifweAREonapicnic；
nohumanbein’shallsufferwhileIsetaroundanddonothin’。"
Mrs。Hainswasathercousin’sheels。
"You’llworryhimtodeath，"shedeclared。"You’lltellhimhowsickheis，andthathe’sgoin’todie，andsuchstuff。Whatheneedsischeerfulconversationandmentaluplift。It’stoobad！
Well，yousha’n’thaveyourownwaywithhim，anyhow。Mr。Brown，whereishe？"
"Youtwogoin’tomarchrightintohisBEDROOM？"screamedtheirateAbijah。Thewomenanswerednot。Theywerealreadyinthekitchen。
Brownhastenedafterthem。
"It’sallright，ladies，"hesaid。"Rightthisway，please。"
Heledthewaytothechamberofthesickman。Mr。Atkinsturnedonhisbedofpain，caughtaglimpseofthevisitors，andsatup。
"Whatintime？"heroared。
"Seth，"saidBrown，benignly，"thisisMrs。StoverofEastboro。I
thinkyouknowher。AndMrs。HainsofBoston。Theseladieshaveheardofyoursickness，and，havinghadexperienceinsuchcases，havekindlyofferedtostaywithyouandhelpinanywaytheycan。
Mrs。Stover，Iwillleavehiminyourhands。PleasecallmeifI
canbeofanyassistance。"
Withoutwaitingforfurthercommentfromthepatient，whosefacewasapicture，hehastenedtothekitchen，chokingashewent。Mr。
Stovermethimattheouterdoor。
"Nowyou’vedoneit！"wailedthelittleman。"NOWyou’vedoneit！
Didn’tItellyou？Oh，this’llbeahellofapicnic！"
Hestalkedaway，righteousindignationovercominghim。Brownsatdowninarockingchairandshookwithemotion。Fromthedirectionofthesickroomcamethesoundsofthreevoices，eachtryingtooutscreamtheother。Thesubstituteassistantlistenedtothisforawhile，and，ashedidso，anewthoughtstruckhim。Herememberedastoryhehadreadinamagazineyearsbefore。Hecrossedtothepantry，foundanemptybottle，rinseditatthesink，steppedagaintothepantry，and，enteringit，closedthedoorbehindhim。Therehebusiedhimselfwiththemolassesjug，thesoft-soapbucket，theoilcan，thepeppershaker，andafewotherutensilsandtheircontents。Footstepsinthekitchencausedhimtohurriedlyreenterthatapartment。Mrs。Stoverwasstandingbytherange，herfacered。
"Oh，thereyouare，Mr。Brown！"sheexclaimed。"Iwonderedwhereyou’dgoneto。"
"Howishe？"inquiredBrown，thekeenestanxietyinhisutterance。
"H’m！he’ddowellenoughifhehadtherighttreatment。Ical’latehe’sbetternow，evenas’tis；but，whenapersonhastolayandhearoverandoveragainthatwhatails’emisnothin’butimagination，itain’ttobewonderedatthattheygetmad。Whatheneedsissomesortofsoothin’medicine，andIonlywish’twan’tsofurovertohome。I’vegotjustwhatheneedsthere。"
"Iwasthinking——"beganBrown。
"Whatwasyouthinkin’？"
"Iwaswonderingifsomeofmy’StomachBalm’wouldn’thelphim。
It’sanoldfamilyreceipt，handeddownfromtheIndians，Ibelieve。
Ialwayshaveabottlewithmeand……Still，Iwouldn’tprescribe，notknowingthedisease。"
Mrs。Stover’seyessparkled。Patentmedicineswereherhobby。
"Hum！"shesaid。"’StomachBalm’soundsgood。Andhesayshistroubleisprincipallystomach。SomeofthemIndianmedicinesaremightypowerful。Haveyou——didyousayyouhadabottlewithyou，Mr。Brown？"
Theyoungmanwentagaintothepantryandreturnedwiththebottlehehadsorecentlyfoundthere。Now，however，itwastwothirdsfullofablackstickymixture。Mrs。Stoverremovedthecorkandtookaninvestigatingsniff。
"Itsmellspowerful，"shesaid，hopefully。
"Itis。Wouldyouliketotasteit？"handingheratablespoon。Hewatchedassheswallowedaspoonful。
"Ugh！oh！"shegasped；evenherlongsufferingpalaterebelledatTHATtaste。"It——IshouldthinkthatOUGHTtohelphim。"
"Ishouldthinkso。Itmaybetheverythingheneeds。Atanyrate，itcan’thurthim。It’squiteharmless。"
Mrs。Stover’sfacewasstilltwisted，undertheinfluenceofthe"Balm"；buthermindwasmadeup。
"I’mgoin’totryit，"shedeclared。"Idon’tcareifeveryNewThoughterincreationsaysno。Heneedsmedicineandneedsitrightaway。"
"Thedose，"saidMr。Brown，gravely，"istwotablespoonfulseveryfifteenminutes。Idohopeitwillhelphim。Givehimmysympathy——
mydeepestsympathy，Mrs。Stover，please。"
Theplumpladydisappearedinthedirectionofthesickroom。Thesubstituteassistantlingeredandlistened。Heheardashrillpow-
wowoffemininevoices。Evidently"NewThought"andthepracticeofmedicinehadoncemoreclashed。Theargumentwaxedandwaned。
Followedtheclickofaspoonagainstglass。Andthencameagasp，agurgle，achokingyell；andhighuponthesaltyairenvelopingEastboroTwin-LightsrosethevoiceofMr。SethAtkins，expressinghisopinionofthe"StomachBalm"andthosewhoadministeredit。
JohnBrowndartedoutofthekitchen，dodgedaroundthecornerofthehouse，tiptoedpastthebenchbythebluff，whereMr。Stoversatgloomilymeditating，andranlightlydownthepathtothecreekandthewharf。Theboathouseattheendofthewharfofferedaconvenientrefuge。Intothebuildinghedarted，closedthedoorbehindhim，andcollapseduponaheapoffishnets。
Atthree-thirtythatafternoon，Mr。Atkins，apparentlyquiterecovered，wassittinginthekitchenrocker，readingalastweek’snewspaper，oneofanumberprocuredonhismostrecenttriptothevillage。TheStoversandtheirguesthaddeparted。Theirbuggywasoutofsightbeyondthedunes。Aslightnoisestartledthelightkeeper，andhelookedup。Hishelperwasstandinginthedoorway，uponhisfaceanexpressionofintenseanddelightedsurprise。
"What？"exclaimedMr。Brown。"What？Isitreallyyou？"
Sethputdownthepaperandnodded。
"Um-hm，"heobserveddrily，"it’sreallyme。"
"Up？andWELL？"queriedBrown。
"Um-hm。Prettywell，considerin’，thankyou。BeenforastrollupWashin’tonStreet，haveyou？OralittlewalkontheCommon，maybe？"
Theelaboratesarcasmofthesequestionswasintendedtobewithering。Mr。Brown，however，didnotwither。Neitherdidheblush。
"Ihavebeen，"hesaid，"downattheboathouse。Iknewyouwereinsafehandsandwelllookedafter，soIwentaway。Icouldn’tremainhereandhearyousuffer。"
"Hum！HEARmesuffer，hey？Muchobliged，I’msure。Whathaveyoubeendoin’thereallthistime？Ihopedyouwas——thatis，Ibeguntobeafraidyouwasdead。Thoughtyoursympathyformehadbeentoomuchforyou，maybe。"
Brownmournfullyshookhishead。"Itwas——almost，"hesaid，solemnly。"IthinkIdroppedasleep。Iwasquiteovercome。"
"Hum！Bettertakeadoseofthat’StomachBalm，’hadn’tyou？
That’lllivenyouup，I’llguarantee。"
"No，thankyou。Thesightofyou，wellandstrongagain，isallthemedicineIneed。Wemustkeepthe’Balm’incaseyouhaveanotherattack。Bytheway，Inoticethedinnerdisheshaven’tbeenwashed。
I’lldothematonce。Iknowyoumustbetired，afteryourillness——
andtheexertionofshowingyourguestsaboutthelights。"
Atkinsdidnotanswer，althoughheseemedtowanttoverymuch。
However，hemadenoobjectionwhenhishelper，rollinguphissleeves，turnedtothesinkandthedishwashing。
Sethwassilentalltherestoftheafternoonandduringsupper。
Butthatevening，asBrownsatonthebenchoutside，Atkinsjoinedhim。
"Hello！"saidSeth，ascheerfullyasifnothinghadhappened。
"Hello！"repliedtheassistant，shortly。Hehadbeenthinkingoncemore，andhisthoughtswerenotpleasant。
"Is’poseyoucal’late，"beganAtkins，"thatmaybeI’vegotagrudgeagainstyouonaccountofthismornin’andthat’Balm’andsuch。I
ain’t。"
"That’sgood。I’mgladtohearit。"
"Yes。Afterthefustdoseofthatstuff——forthundersakesWHATdidyouputinit？——Iwasaboutreadytomurderyou，butI’vegotoverthat。Idon’tblameyouforgettin’even。Weareeven，youknow。"
"I’msatisfied，ifyouare。"
"Ibe。ButwhatIdon’tunderstandiswhyyoudidn’twanttoshowthemfolksaround。"
"Oh，Idon’tknow。Ihadmyreasons，suchastheywere。Whydidn’tyouwanttodoityourself？"
Sethcrossedhislegsandwassilentforamomentortwo。Thenhespokefirmlyandasifhismindwasmadeup。
"Youngfeller，"hesaid，"Idon’tknowwhetheryourealizeitornot，andperhapsIshouldn’tbetheonetomentionit——butyou’reundersomeobligationstome。"
Hiscompanionnodded。"Irealizethat，"hesaid。
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