"You ain't so glad as we are to see you--and your friend," observed
Thankful, drily. "Is he a captain, too?"

He didn't look like one, certainly. He had removed his sou'wester,
uncovering a round head, with reddish-gray hair surrounding a bald spot
at the crown. He had a double chin and a smile which was apologetic but
ingratiating. He seemed less frightened than when he first entered the
room, but still glanced about him with evident apprehension.

"No--no, ma'am," he stammered, in answer to the question. "No, ma'am,
I--I--my name's Parker. I--I ain't a cap'n; no, ma'am."

"Kenelm ain't been promoted yet," observed Captain Obed gravely. "He's
waitin' until he get's old enough to go to sea. Ain't that it, Kenelm?"

Kenelm smiled and shifted his sou'wester from his right hand to his
left.

"I--I cal'late so," he answered.

"Well, it don't make any difference," declared Thankful. "My cousin
and I are just as glad to see him as if he was an admiral. We've been
waitin' so long to see any human bein' that we'd begun to think they was
all drowned. But you haven't met my cousin yet. Her name's Howes."

Emily, who had stood by, patient but chilly, during the introductions
and reminiscences, shook hands with Captain Bangs and Mr. Parker. Both
gentlemen said they were pleased to meet her; no, Captain Obed said
that--Kenelm said that he was "glad to be acquaintanced."