Any more--er--flippity answers like that one and you're
liable to think you're struck by lightnin'. This lady and I have
got news for you. Do you know what 'tis?"
Jed looked at Mrs. Armstrong and then at the speaker.
"No-o," he said, slowly.
"Well, to begin with it's this: Lute Small is leavin' the Orham
National a week from next Saturday by a vote of eight to one. The
directors and the cashier and I are the eight and he's the one.
Ho, ho! And who do you suppose comes aboard on the next Monday
mornin' to take over what Lute has left of the job? Eh? Who?
Why, your own candidate, that's who."
Jed started. Again he looked at Mrs. Armstrong and, as if in
answer to that look, she spoke.
"Yes, Mr. Winslow," she said, quickly, "my brother is coming to
Orham and Captain Hunniwell has given him the position. It is
really you to whom he owes it all. You thought of it and spoke to
the captain and to me."
"But why in time," demanded Captain Sam, "didn't you tell me right
out that 'twas Mrs. Armstrong's brother you had in mind? Gracious
king! if I'd known that I'd have had Lute out a fortni't sooner."
Jed made no reply to this. He was still staring at the lady.
"But--but--" he faltered, "did you--have you--"
He stopped in the middle of a word. Ruth was standing behind the
captain and he saw the frightened look in her eyes and the swift
movement of her finger to her lips.
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