"He has startled us all with the most wonderful proposition.

The Government is going to build a life-saving station at Barnegat beach, and they have offered him the position of keeper, and he says he will take it if I will let Archie go with him as one of his crew." Doctor John's face instantly assumed a graver look.

These forked roads confronting the career of a young life were important and not to be lightly dismissed.
"Well, what did you tell him ?" he asked, looking down at Jane in the effort to read her thoughts.
"We are waiting for you to decide, John." The tone was the same she would have used had the doctor been her own husband and the boy their child.
Doctor John communed with himself for an instant.

"Well, let us take a vote," he replied with an air as if each and every one in the room was interested in the decision.

"We'll begin with Mistress Martha, and then Mrs.Dellenbaugh, and then you, Jane, and last our lady from over the sea.