The fact that he was taxed with a crime--a double crime, indeed--did
not seem to bother him at all. But the clatter of the women's tongues
seemed to annoy him.
His silence and his calmness affected Mrs. Conroth and Betty Gallup
much as the store idlers had been affected when they tried to bait
him--their exasperation increased. Cap'n Amazon's utter disregard of
what they said (for Betty did her share of the talking, relieving the
Lady from Poughkeepsie when she was breathless) continued unabated. It
was a situation that, at another time, would have vastly amused Louise.
But it was really a serious matter. Mrs. Conroth was quite as excited
as Betty. Both became vociferous in acclaiming the captain's
irresponsibility, and both accused him of having caused Cap'n Abe's
disappearance.
"Mark my word," declared Aunt Euphemia, with her most indignant air,
"that creature is guilty--guilty of an awful crime!"
"The old pirate! That he is!" reiterated Betty.
"Louise, my child, come away from here at once. This is no place for a
young woman--or for any self-respecting person.
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