The captain, who seemed to have taken a decided fancy to his prospective neighbor and her young relative, had come with them to the station.

Thankful had hired a horse and "open wagon" at the livery stable in East Wellmouth and had intended engaging a driver as well, but Captain Bangs had volunteered to act in that capacity.
"I haven't got much to do this mornin'," he said.

"Fact is, I generally do have more time on my hands than anything else this season of the year.

Later on, when I put out my fish weirs, I'm pretty busy, but now I'm a sort of 'longshore loafer.

You're figurin' to go to Trumet after you've seen Miss Emily leave the dock, you said, didn't you?
Well, I've got an errand of my own in Trumet that might as well be done now as any time.