Putnam patriot., 1912-10-18
'It will he talked ahnnt snma snn.

Tt will be talked about some, I sup pose. Don't you think so?"
 At this moment one half of Trumet is talkin' about 1t and runnin' out to tell the other half I guess I'd better hurry up with this breakfast. We're goin' to have callers"
 Strange to say, however, this proph- ecy of early morning visitors did not prove true. Nine o'clock, then ten, and no visitor came to the parsonage. Mrs. Coffin affirmed that she did not understand 1t. Where was Didama? Where Layinia Pepper? Had the "Tru- met Daily Advertiser" suspended pub lication2
 At half past ten the gate slammed. Keziah peered from the window.
 'Humph." she calculated. Here comes Elkanah and he's got storm sig nals set, by the looks He's comin' after you. Mir Ellery."
 Very we'll" was the calm reply; 'let him come"
 All right. Say. Mir. Ellery, it's none of my business, but I wouldn't say anything about your seein' Grace home, That's none of his business, either, or anybody else's."
 The head of the parish committee stalked into the study and the door closed behind him. A rumble of voices in animated conversation sue ceeded.
 Mrs. Coffin went out into the kitchen and resumed her business of making a dried-apple pie.
 She was looking down below the door, which opened outward and was swung partly back on it's hinges. From under the door projected a boot, mans boot and one of ample size.
 KeZiah's cheeks, already red from the heat of the stove, redeemed still more. Her lips twitched and her eyes sparkled.
 "Humi" she said. They say you can tell the Old Scratch by his foot prints, even if you can't smell the sulphur. Anyhow, you can tell Ham, mond by the size of his boots. Come out from behind that door this min ute. Aint you ashamed of yourself?"
 The owner of the boot stepped forth from behind the door and seized her by both hands.
 'Halloo. Keziahi" he cried joyfully. My, but it's good to see you
 "HaToo, Natl" said Keziah heartily. Its kind of good to see you, too"
 The rest of him was in keeping with his boots. He was big and broad shouldered and bearded. His face, above the beard, was tanned to a deep reddish brown, and the corners of his eyes were marked with dozens of tiny wrinkles. He was dressed in blue cloth and wore a wide-brimmed, soft felt hat. He entered the kitchen and tossed the hat into corner.
 "Welli' he exclaimed Why don't you act surprised to see feller? Here I've been cruisin from the Horn to Barnegat and back again, and you act as if I'd just dropped in to fetch the cup of molasses l borrowed yesterday. What do you mean by it?"
 "Oh. I heard you'd made port"
 Did. hey? That's Trumet. sure pop. You ain't the only one. sneaked off acrost lots sos to dodge the gang of neighbors that I knew would be sailn' into our yard. the whole fleet loaded to the gunwale with questions Wanted to see you first, Keziah"
 Mrs. Coffin pulled forward one of the kitchen chairs. He seated himself on it and it groaned under his weight
 'sWhewi" he whistled. Never made to stand rough weather, was it? Well. ain't you glad?"
 Keziah looked at him gravely.
 You know I'm glad. Nat" she said.
 "So? I hoped you would be, but I did want to hear you say it. Now you come to anchor yourself and let's have a talk. I've been countin' on it ever since we set topsls off Surinam.
 The housekeeper took the other chair.
 q beg your pardon, Keziah." he said I'm a dough head, that's fact. I hadn't forgot about Sol, but I was so glad to be home again and to see dad and Grace and the old town and you that everything else flew out of my mind Poor Sol! liked him"
 He liked you. too. No wonder, con- siderin' what you did to-"
 "Belayl Never mind that. Poor chapi We'll, he's rid of his sufferin's at last. Tell me about 1t, if you can without bringin' all the trouble back too plain"
 So she told him of her brothers sickness and death, of having to give up the old home. and. finally. of her acceptance of the housekeepers posi- ton. He listened. at first with sym pathy and then with suppressed indig- nation.
 By the jumpin' Moses!" he ex- claimed. And Elkanah was goin' to turn you out of house and home. The mean, pompous old"
 Hush! hush. he's in there with Mir. 
 Who? Elkanahf"
 "Yes: they're in the study"
 "So he's talkin' to the new parson. hey? Bossin' him. too, I'll bet"
 'I ain't so sure. MT. Ellery's young. but he's got a mind of his own"
 Captain Hammond chuckled and slapped his knee.
 ''Ho. hol" he laughed. I've been hearin' somethin' about that mind. Went 10 the chapel last night, under stand. and he and dad had set-to. Oh. heard about it. Wish I might have been there"
 How does your father act about it?
 "'Bout the way a red-hot stove acts when you spill water on it; every time .la-H. nk tha minister he siZZlea.