People came in from all around to read Cap'n Abe's letter and to
congratulate Cap'n Amazon and Louise that the _Curlew_ was safe. The
captain took the matter as coolly as he did everything else.
Louise watched him, trying to fathom his manner and the mystery about
him. Yet, when the solution of the problem was developed, she was most
amazed by the manner in which her eyes were opened.
Supper time was approaching, and the cooler evening breeze blew in
through the living-room windows. Relieved for the moment from his
store tasks, Cap'n Amazon appeared, rubbing his hands cheerfully, and
briskly approached old Jerry's cage as he chirruped to the bird.
"Well! well! And how's old Jerry been to-day?" Louise heard him say.
Then: "Hi-mighty! What's this?"
Louise glanced in from the kitchen. She saw him standing before the
cage, his chin sunk on his breast, the tears trickling down his
mahogany face.
That hard, stern visage, with its sweeping piratical mustache and the
red bandana above it, was a most amazing picture of grief.
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