THE next day Hunch was moody. The men were afraid of him, and it was after a long time of bracing his courage, that the mate came up to where Hunch was sitting on the rail.

“Cap’n,” he said, “she’s all ready.”

“I know it.”

“Will we get under way? There’s the tug coming in fifteen minutes.”

Hunch sat still, his fingers locked, looking out across the harbor.

“Mike,” he said, abruptly, “skip up to the office and telephone over for the tug to come to-morrow morning at seven o’clock.”

“Not till to-morrow——?”

“That’s what I said.”

The mate walked away, shaking his head.

Hunch was in a bad temper all the afternoon. After supper he sat in the cabin alone until after seven o’clock. Finally he got up and walked swiftly across town to Mamie’s house. Mr. Banks opened the door, his coat on and his hat in his hand.

“Hello, my boy. This is a big surprise. Step right in. We thought you was up to Manistee by now.”

“I thought I was going myself.”

“Take off your coat—here, let me have it. How’d you manage it?”

“I—I found I couldn’t get away.”

“Ain’t that fine, though. Mother, here’s Mr. Badeau.” Mrs. Banks was in the front room straightening her bonnet.

“How d’ye do?” she said, coming into the hall and shaking hands. “Glad to see you. Father and I was just starting for prayer-meeting.”

“Go right along, Mis’ Banks. Don’t stay on my account.”

“All right, if you’ll excuse us. We won’t be gone long, and I guess Mamie ‘ll take care of you all right. We can have our visit when we get back. Mamie-! Where is that child?”

“Here I am, mother,” said Mamie, coming in from the kitchen. She greeted Hunch cordially.

“Good-by,” said Mrs. Banks, “we’ll be back ‘fore long.”

Mamie pulled up two chairs to the stove, Hunch helping her.

“How’d you happen to stay over?” she asked. “We weren’t expecting you.”

“No, I just made up my mind this morning.”

“Well, I’m sure we’re glad you did. It seems just like old times to have you back here.”

“Don’t it, though? I ain’t had much chance to see my friends in the last year. I have to keep a-going all the time, you know.”

“But I should think you’d kind of like it. Father told me how well you’re doing. Isn’t it fine.”

“I dunno,” said Hunch. “I ain’t always sure I care much one way or the other.”

“You mean about getting on? Oh, you mustn’t talk like that. Of course you care, and all your friends care, too. We like to see you get ahead. Jess’s brother told me when you got to be captain, and I was kind of proud of you.”

The mention of Jess bothered Hunch, though he replied, “Was you really?” and tried to smile.

Mamie was looking at hi............