She listened, but it was evident that something else was on her mind.
"Captain Whittaker," she asked, "has it ever struck you as queer that Mr.Atkins should take such an interest in this matter?
He is giving time and counsel and money to help this man Thomas, who is a perfect stranger to him.

Why does he do it ?" Captain Cy smiled.
"Why ?" he repeated.

"Why, to down me, of course.

I was gettin' too everlastin' prominent in politics to suit him.

I'd got you in as teacher, and I had 'Lonzo Snow as good as licked for school committee.
Goodness knows what I might have run for next, 'cordin' to Heman's reasonin', and I simply had to be smashed.