ICICLES AND DUST Captain Cy did not reply to the request for the box.

It is doubtful if he even heard it.

Mrs.Oliver's astonishing letter had, as he afterwards said, left him "high and dry with no tug in sight." Mary Thomas was dead, and her daughter, her DAUGHTER! of whose very existence he had been ignorant, had suddenly appeared from nowhere and been dropped at his door, like an out-of-season May basket, accompanied by the modest suggestion that he assume responsibility for her thereafter.

No wonder the captain wiped his forehead in utter bewilderment.
"Don't you think you'd better send for the box ?" repeated the child, shivering a little under the big coat.
"Hey?
What say?
Never mind, though.

Just keep quiet for a spell, won't you.