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Cooper, James A.

"Cap'n Abe, Storekeeper"

She was also afflicted with
sudden deafness.
"Louise! I shall never forget this--never!" she declared haughtily, as
Willy Peebles started the car and it rumbled on down the Shell Road.
Unable to face Cap'n Amazon just then for several reasons, Louise did not
re-enter the store but strolled down to the sands. There was a skiff
drawn up above high-water mark and the hoop-backed figure of Washy Gallup
sat in it. He was mending a net. He nodded with friendliness to Louise,
his jaw working from side to side like a cow chewing her cud--and for the
same reason. Washy had no upper teeth left.
"How be you this fine day, miss?" the old fellow asked sociably. "It's
enough to put new marrer in old bones, this weather. Cold weather lays
me up same's any old hulk. An' I been used to work, I have, all my life.
Warn't none of 'em any better'n me in my day."
"You have done your share, I am sure, Mr. Gallup," the girl said, smiling
cheerfully down upon him. "Yours is the time for rest."
"Rest? How you talk!" exclaimed Washy.


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