He'd look at her and look at her, and time and time again I thought he was goin' to say somethin', but he didn't." He was not talkative when alone with Captain Obed that afternoon.

They paid one more visit to the building "opposite the postoffice" and while there he asked a few questions concerning the rent.

The figure named by the captain was a low one and John seemed to think it too low.

"I'm not asking charity," he declared.

"At least you might charge me enough to pay for the paint I may rub off when I open the door." But Captain Obed obstinately refused to raise his figure.