She must do this for
Tunis even more than for herself.
She arose determinedly. With this thought, strength surged back into
her limbs as well as into her mind. For a time she had been weak,
undecided. Once more she gathered her energies to oppose the sea of
adversity which threatened to overwhelm her.
She crossed the hall and opened the sitting room door. Cap'n Ira sat
in his usual chair, leaning forward, with his hands clasped over the
knob of his cane. Prudence, with a wondering look on her face, sat
beside him, and just as far from the new girl as the length of the
room would allow. The latter had been speaking with her usual
vehemence, and she did not even glance at Sheila when the latter
came quietly into the room.
"Oh, Ida May!" gasped Prudence, and almost ran to her. "Do you know
what she is saying? I never heard of such a thing!"
"I tell you she _ain't_ Ida Bostwick," cried the other. "Don't you
dare call her that. I'll--"
"Hoity-toity, young woman! Avast there!" said the captain gruffly.
"We won't get to the rights of this by quarreling. Wait!"
He looked at Sheila, and his weatherhued countenance was as kindly
of expression as usual.
"You know what this young woman says?" he asked.
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