The situation was desperate.

The captain squared his shoulders, thrust forward his chin, and walked briskly up the path to the door of the dining room.

It was nearly one o'clock, but Bos'n had not yet gone.

She was waiting, to the very last minute, for her "Uncle Cyrus." "Hello, shipmate," he hailed.

"Not headed for school yet?
Good! I cal'late you needn't go this afternoon.