doesn't amount to somethin', it won't be my fault, nor Martha's,
either, fer that matter."

"Have you taken the same care with your daughter?" the girl asked.

"No, not as much," was the reluctant confession. "Gals don't need sich
special care. They ginerally grow up all right, an' git along somehow.
But it's different with boys. They're a problem, they sartinly are."

"And so you have given most of your attention to your son, and let your
daughter grow up any way. Is that it, Captain?"

"That's about it, Miss."

"And how is your daughter getting along?"

"Fust rate. We've no trouble with her. She's a good worker, happy an'
cheerful as a bird, an' does what she's told. She's a fine gal, Flo
is, an' thar's no mistake about that. I wish to goodness Eben was like
her."

"It seems to me, Captain, that you tried too hard to raise your son,
and spoiled him. Isn't that it?"

"D'ye think so?"

"I am sure of it. You are not the only ones who have spent all their
care upon their sons and let their daughters grow up as they please. I
know too much about it."