It was agreed that Bowling should pay five dollars a week for the three or four weeks he expected to stay.
"I'll be back in an hour," said the new boarder.

"I've got a little business to attend to before supper." When he had gone out, Aunt Rachel began to cough ominously.

Evidently some remonstrance was coming.
"Martha," she said, solemnly, "I'm afraid you've done wrong in taking that sailor man." "Why, Rachel ?" "He's a strange man." "I don't see anything strange about him," said Jack.
"He spoke to me about having a beau," said Aunt Rachel, in a shocked tone.
Jack burst into a fit of hearty laughter.

"Perhaps he's going to make you an offer, Aunt Rachel," he said.

"He wants to see if there's anybody in the way." Rachel did not appear so very indignant.
"It was improper for a stranger to speak to me on that subject," she said, mildly.
"You must make allowances for the bluntness of a sailor," said Mrs.
Harding.
For some reason Rachel did not seem as low-spirited as usual that evening.Capt.Bowling entertained them with narratives of his personal adventures, and it was later than usual when the lamps were put out, and they were all in bed..