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The Portygee by Joseph Crosby Lincoln
page 26 of 474 (05%)

"'Twill say just as well to-morrow mornin', Mother; better, because
we'll have all day to say it in. Get the lamp."

Albert looked at his watch.

"Why, it's only half-past nine," he said.

Captain Zelotes, who also had been looking at the watch, which was a
very fine and very expensive one, smiled slightly. "Half-past nine some
nights," he said, "is equal to half-past twelve others. This is one of
the some. There, there, son, you're so sleepy this minute that you've
got a list to starboard. When you and I have that talk that's comin'
to us we want to be shipshape and on an even keel. Rachel, light that
lamp."

The housekeeper brought in and lighted a small hand lamp. Mrs. Snow
took it and led the way to the hall and the narrow, breakneck flight of
stairs. Captain Zelotes laid a hand on his grandson's shoulder.

"Good-night, son," he said quietly.

Albert looked into the gray eyes. Their expression was not unkindly,
but there was, or he imagined there was, the same quizzical, sardonic
twinkle. He resented that twinkle more than ever; it made him feel very
young indeed, and correspondingly obstinate. Something of that obstinacy
showed in his own eyes as he returned his grandfather's look.

"Good-night--sir," he said, and for the life of him he could not resist
hesitating before adding the "sir." As he climbed the steep stairs
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