Blow the Man Down - A Romance of the Coast

Don't you hear the old man roaring, Johnny,

One more day? Don't you hear that pilot bawling,

One more day? Only one more day, my Johnny,

One more day! O come rock and roll me over,

One more day.

--Windlass Song.

When the subject of the proposed expedition to Hue and Cry was broached

at the breakfast-table, Captain Epps Candage displayed prompt interest.

"It's going to be a good thing for the section round about here--roust

'em off! Heard 'em talking it over down to Rowley's store last evening.

I'll go along with you and see it done."

Mayo and Polly Candage exchanged looks and refrained from comment.

It was evident that Captain Candage reflected the utilitarian view of

Maquoit.

Mayo had put off that hateful uniform of Marston's yacht, and the girl

gave him approving survey when he appeared that morning in his shore

suit of quiet gray. With the widow's ready aid Polly Candage had made

her own attire presentable once more. When they walked down to the shore

she smiled archly at Mayo from under the brim of a very fetching straw

poke.

"I ran down to the general store early and bought a boy's hat," she

explained. "I trimmed it myself. You know, I'm a milliner's apprentice.

Does it do my training credit?"

He was somewhat warm in his assurances that it did.

"I ought to be pleased by your praise," she said, demurely, "because

women wear hats for men's approval, and if my customers go home and hear

such nice words from their husbands my business career is sure to be a

success."

"Your business career?"

"Certainly, sir!" She bobbed a little courtesy. "I have money, sir!

Money of my own. Five thousand dollars in the bank, if you please! Oh,

you need not stare at me. I did not earn it. My dear mother's sister

left it to me in her will. And some day when you are walking down the

city street you'll see a little brass sign--very bright, very neat--and

there'll be 'Polly' on it. Then you may come up and call on the great

milliner--that will be this person, now so humble."

"But that young man!" he protested, smiling at her gaiety.

"Oh, that young man?" She wrinkled her nose. Then she flushed, conscious

that he was a bit surprised at her tone of disdain. "Why, he will wear a

frock-coat and a flower in the buttonhole and will bow in my customers.

You didn't think my young man was a farmer-boy, did you?"