We got along fust-rate; hey, commodore?
The commodore's agreed to ship second-mate along with me next v'yage I make, if I ever make one." Thankful held her "relation"-- he was Emily's half-brother and her own favorite next to Emily herself in that family--at arm's length.

"You blessed little--little mite!" she exclaimed.

"So you come 'way down here all alone just to see your old auntie.

Did you ever in your life! And I suppose you're the 'secret' Emily said she had, the one that was to keep me from bein' lonesome." Georgie nodded.

"Yes," he said.