The Captain was plainly overawed by the genteel elegance of his surrounding and the manner of his hostess.

But Mr.Keith was very much at ease and full of fun and, after a time, a little of Shadrach's self-consciousness disappeared.

When he learned that grandfather Wyeth had been a seafaring man he came out of his shell sufficiently to narrate, at Keith's request, one of his own experiences in Hongkong, but even in the midst of his yarn he never forgot to address his hostess as "ma'am" and he did not say "Jumpin Judas" once.
After luncheon Mr.Keith and the Captain left the house together.
"Goin' to attend to that little mite of business I spoke to you about, Mary-'Gusta," explained Shadrach, confidentially.

"We'll be back pretty soon.

I cal'late maybe you'd better wait here, that is," with a glance at Mrs.Wyeth, "if it'll be all right for you to." "Of course it will be all right," declared Mrs.Wyeth promptly.