John Ellery was uneasy.Physically he was very much better,so much better that he was permitted to sit up a while each day.But mentally he was disturbed and excited,exactly the condition which the doctor said he must not be in.Keziah and Grace had gone away and left him,and he could not understand why.
Mrs.Higgins,Ike's mother,was at the shanty and she did her best to soothe and quiet him.She was a kind soul and capable,in her way,but she could not answer his questions satisfactorily.
Where are they?he demanded.Why did they go?Has anything happened?When are they coming back?I can't tell you just when,Mr.Ellery,replied Mrs.Higgins.
Grace had to go home for a--a day or so and Keziah had things to attend to at the parsonage.Don't you fret yourself about them.I'm not fretting,but it does seem strange.I could understand why one should go,perhaps,but not both.Didn't Gra--Miss Van Horne tell you why she went?Well,now,Mr.Ellery,don't let's worry about Gracie.She's a good girl with lots of common sense and--I know that.But that doesn't answer me.Why did she go?Keziah hadn't been to the parsonage sence that day when you was fust took sick,and I expect likely she felt that she'd ought to--Please,Mrs.Higgins,tell me the truth.I'm not asking about Mrs.Coffin.Didn't Miss Van Horne tell you her reason for leaving?No,she didn't.
But you know the reason?You're keeping something from me.Did she say when she would come back?No,not exactly,but,of course--
I know you're keeping something from me.What has happened?Happened?Land sakes!does anything ever happen in Trumet?I think a good many things have happened lately.And the longer you keep the truth from me the more I shall suspect.Mr.Ellery,you set still in that chair,or,when the doctor comes,he'll put you to bed.I've got some cookin'to do and Ican't set here gossipin'no longer.You behave yourself and stop frettin'.I'm skipper here now--er--for a while,anyhow--and you've got to take orders from me.There!now I cal'late you're scared,ain't you?He did not seem greatly frightened,nor in awe of his new skipper.
Instead,he was evidently preparing to ask more questions.Mrs.
Higgins hurriedly fled to the living room and closed the door behind her.
The minister heard her rattling pans and dishes at a great rate.
The noise made him nervous and he wished she might be more quiet.
He moved to the chair nearest the window and looked out over the dunes and the wide stretch of tumbling blue sea.The surf was rolling up the shore,the mackerel gulls were swooping and dipping along the strand,the beach grass was waving in the wind.Asolitary fish boat was beating out past the spar buoy.She was almost over the spot when the San Jose had first anchored.
The view was a familiar one.He had seen it in all weathers,during a storm,at morning when the sun was rising,at evening when the moon came up to tip the watery ridges with frosted silver.He had liked it,tolerated it,hated it,and then,after she came,loved it.He had thought it the most beautiful scene in all the world and one never to be forgotten.The dingy old building,with its bare wooden walls,had been first a horror,then a prison,and at last a palace of contentment.With the two women,one a second mother to him,and the other dearest of all on earth,he could have lived there forever.But now the old prison feeling was coming back.He was tired of the view and of the mean little room.He felt lonely and deserted and despairing.
His nerves were still weak and it was easy,in his childish condition,to become despondent.He went over the whole situation and felt more and more sure that his hopes had been false ones and that he had builded a fool's paradise.After all,he remembered,she had given him no promise;she had found him ill and delirious and had brought him there.She had been kind and thoughtful and gracious,but that she would be to anyone,it was her nature.And he had been content,weak as he was,to have her near him,where he would see her and hear her speak.Her mere presence was so wonderful that he had been satisfied with that and had not asked for more.And now she had gone.Mrs.Higgins had said for a day or two,but that was indefinite,and she had not said she would return when those two days had passed.He was better now,almost well.Would she come back to him?After all,conditions in the village had not changed.He was still pastor of the Regular church and she was a Come-Outer.The man she had promised to marry was dead--yes.But the other conditions were the same.And Mrs.
Higgins had refused to tell him the whole truth;he was certain of that.She had run away when he questioned her.
He rose from the chair and started toward the living room.He would not be put off again.He would be answered.His hand was on the latch of the door when that door was opened.Dr.Parker came in.
The doctor was smiling broadly.His ruddy face was actually beaming.He held out his hand,seized the minister's,and shook it.
Good morning,Mr.Ellery,he said.It's a glorious day.Yes,sir,a bully day.Hey?isn't it?Ellery's answer was a question.
Doctor,he said,why have Mrs.Coffin and--and Miss Van Horne gone?Has anything happened?I know something has,and you must tell me what.Don't try to put me off or give me evasive answers.
I want to know why they have gone.
Parker looked at him keenly.Humph!he grunted.I'll have to get into Mrs.Higgins's wig.I told her not to let you worry,and you have worried.You're all of a shake.Never mind that.I asked you a question.
