He said
nothing, nor did the elder. It was Sheila who broke the silence at
last.
She had stood up. Now she put Prudence tenderly into Cap'n Ira's
arms. She gave him, too, such a thankful, beaming glance that the
old man was almost staggered. For he had not seen one of those
smiles for more than two days.
"Elder Minnett," Sheila said, and her voice was quite steady, "I
think it is my place to speak."
"Yes?" was the noncommittal response of the grim old minister.
"I should not think for a moment of doubting your judgment in such a
matter. If you say Cap'n Ira and Mrs. Ball should receive this--this
girl here while the matter is being examined, I hope they will agree
with you and allow her to come."
"Why, Ida May!" gasped Prudence.
"That gal's an angel! She ain't nothing but an angel!" marveled
Cap'n Ira.
"But I think," said Sheila, "that the girl should be made to promise
that while she is here, and if she comes here, that she will not
speak to anybody outside this room at the present time of the claim
she makes--especially as it seems to affect Captain Latham."
"I swan! That's so! He's got a wage and share in this thing, ain't
he? And he ain't here to defend himself, if we be.
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