“No examination would be needed,” said the other quickly; “I should decide upon Mr. Lancaster without the necessity of any questions or deliberations.”

“But he is not a candidate,” said Olive; “he has been ruled out.  However,” she added with a little laugh, “nothing can be done just now, for they have not all entered themselves in the competition; Mr. Hemphill has not proposed yet.”

At that instant the rest of the family joined them on their way to luncheon.

The meal was scarcely over when Olive disappeared up-stairs, but soon came down attired in a blue sailor suit, which she had not before worn at Broadstone, and although the ladies of that house had been astonished at the number of costumes this navy girl carried in her unostentatious baggage, this was a new surprise to them.

“Mr. Hemphill and I are going boating,” said Olive to Mrs. Easterfield.

“Olive!” exclaimed the other.

“What is there astonishing about it?” asked the girl.  “I have been out boating with Mr. Locker, and it did not amaze you.  You need not be afraid; Mr. Hemphill says he has had a good deal of practise in rowing, and if he does not understand the management of a boat I am sure I do.  It is only for an hour, and we shall be ready for anything that the rest of you are going to do this afternoon.”

With this, away she went, skipping over the rocks and grass, down to the river’s edge, followed by Mr. Hemphill, who could scarcely believe he was in a world of common people and common things, while he, in turn, was followed by the mental anathemas of a poet and a diplomat.

CHAPTER XIX

The Captain and Dick Lancaster desert the Toll-Gate.

When Captain Asher, in an angry mood, left his young friend and guest and went out into his barnyard and his fields in order to quiet his soul by the consideration of agricultural subjects, he met with but little success.  He looked at his pigs, but he did not notice their plump condition; he glanced at his two cows, cropping the grass in the little meadow, but it did not impress him that they also were in fine condition; nor did he care whether the pasture were good or not.  He looked at this; and he looked at that; and then he folded his arms and looked at the distant mountains.  Suddenly he turned on his heel, walked straight to the stable, harnessed his mare to the buggy, and, without saying a word to anybody, drove out of the gate, and on to Glenford.

Dick Lancaster, who was in the arbor, looked in amazement after the captain’s departing buggy, and old Jane, with tears in her eyes, came out and spoke to him.

“Isn’t this dreadful” she said to him.  “Supper with that woman and there all night, and back again as soon as he can get off this mornin’!”

“Perhaps he is not going to her house,” Dick suggested.  “He may have business in town which he forgot yesterday.”

“If he’d had it he’d forgot it,” replied the old woman.  “But he hadn’t none.  He’s gone to Maria Port’s, and he may bring her back with him, married tight and fast, for all you or me knows.  It would be just like his sailor fashion.  When the captain’s got anything to do he just does it sharp and quick.”