"Umph!" he grunted."I see.You cal'late that Lute Small will fill Gus Howes' job about the way you filled those boots, eh? You may be right, shouldn't wonder if you was, but we've got to have somebody and we've got to have him now.So I guess likely we'll let Lute sign on and wait till later to find out whether he's an able seaman or a--a--"He hesitated, groping for a simile.Mr.Winslow supplied one.
"Or a leak," he suggested.
"Yes, that's it.Say, have you heard anything from Leander Babbitt lately?""No, nothin' more than Gab Bearse was reelin' off last time he was in here.How is Phin Babbitt? Does he speak to you yet?""Not a word.But the looks he gives me when we meet would sour milk.He's dead sartin that I had somethin' to do with his boy's volunteerin' and he'll never forgive me for it.He's the best hand at unforgivin' I ever saw.No, no! Wonder what he'd say if he knew 'twas you, Jed, that was really responsible?"Jed shook his head, but made no reply.His friend was at the door.
"Any money to take to the bank?" he inquired."Oh, no, I took what you had yesterday, didn't I? Any errands you want done over to Harniss? Maud and I are goin' over there in the car this afternoon."Jed seemed to reflect."No-o," he said; "no, I guess not....
Why, yes, I don't know but there is, though.If you see one of those things the soldiers put on in the trenches I'd wish you'd buy it for me.You know what I mean--a gas mask.""A gas mask! Gracious king! What on earth?"Jed sighed."'Twould be consider'ble protection when Gabe Bearse dropped in and started talkin'," he drawled, solemnly.
October came in clear and fine and on a Saturday in that month Jed and Barbara went on their long anticipated picnic to the aviation camp at East Harniss.The affair was one which they had planned together.Barbara, having heard much concerning aviation during her days of playing and listening in the windmill shop, had asked questions.She wished to know what an aviation was.Jed had explained, whereupon his young visitor expressed a wish to go and see for herself."Couldn't you take Petunia and me some time, Mr.
Winslow?" she asked.
"Guess maybe so," was the reply, "provided I don't forget it, same as you forget about not callin' me Mr.Winslow.""Oh, I'm so sorry.Petunia ought to have reminded me.Can't you take me some time, Uncle Jed?"He had insisted upon her dropping the "Mr." in addressing him.
"Your ma's goin' to call me Jed," he told her; "that is to say, Ihope she is, and you might just as well.I always answer fairly prompt whenever anybody says 'Jed,' 'cause I'm used to it.When they say 'Mr.Winslow' I have to stop and think a week afore Iremember who they mean."
But Barbara, having consulted her mother, refused to address her friend as "Jed." "Mamma says it wouldn't be respect--respectaful,"she said."And I don't think it would myself.You see, you're older than I am," she added.
Jed nodded gravely."I don't know but I am, a little, now you remind me of it," he admitted."Well, I tell you--call me 'Uncle Jed.' That's got a handle to it but it ain't so much like the handle to an ice pitcher as Mister is.'Uncle Jed' 'll do, won't it?"Barbara pondered."Why," she said, doubtfully, "you aren't my uncle, really.If you were you'd be Mamma's brother, like--like Uncle Charlie, you know."It was the second time she had mentioned "Uncle Charlie." Jed had never heard Mrs.Armstrong speak of having a brother, and he wondered vaguely why.However, he did not wonder long on this particular occasion.
