Dire was the vengeance I meant to wreak on Pepper, for who but he had betrayed me?
Pepper alone had been the repository of my secret--perfidious Pepper! As we left station after station behind us, I felt less and less like encountering the members of our family.

Sailor Ben fathomed what was passing in my mind, for he leaned over and said: "I don't think as the Capen will bear down very hard on you." But it wasn't that.

It wasn't the fear of any physical punishment that might be inflicted; it was a sense of my own folly that was creeping over me; for during the long, silent ride I had examined my conduct from every stand-point, and there was no view I could take of myself in which I did not look like a very foolish person indeed.
As we came within sight of the spires of Rivermouth, I wouldn't have cared if the up train, which met us outside the town, had run into us and ended me.
Contrary to my expectation and dread, the Captain was not visible when we stepped from the cars.

Sailor Ben glanced among the crowd of faces, apparently looking for him too.

Conway was there--he was always hanging about the station--and if he had intimated in any way that he knew of my disgrace and enjoyed it, I should have walked into him, I am certain.
But this defiant feeling entirely deserted me by the time we reached the Nutter House.