第33章

In May, which was an unusually balmy month, the Congregational Sunday School gave an automobile excursion and box-luncheon party at High Point Light down at Trumet.As Rachel Ellis said, it was pretty early for picnickin', but if the Almighty's season was ahead of time there didn't seem to be any real good reason why one of his Sunday schools shouldn't be.And, which was the principal excuse for the hurry, the hotel busses could be secured, which would not be the case after the season opened.

Albert went to the picnic.He was not very keen on going, but his grandfather had offered him a holiday for the purpose, and it was one of his principles never to refuse a chance to get away from that office.Besides, a number of the young people of his age were going, and Gertie Kendrick had been particularly insistent.

"You just MUST come, Al," she said."It won't be any fun at all if you don't come."It is possible that Gertie found it almost as little fun when he did come.He happened to be in one of his moods that day;"Portygee streaks," his grandfather termed these moods, and told Olive that they were "that play-actor breakin' out in him." He talked but little during the ride down in the bus, refused to sing when called upon, and, after dinner, when the dancing in the pavilion was going on, stepped quietly out of the side door and went tramping along the edge of the bluff, looking out over the sea or down to the beach, where, one hundred and fifty feet below, the big waves were curling over to crash into a creamy mass of froth and edge the strand with lacy ripples.

The high clay bluffs of Trumet are unique.No other part of the Cape shows anything just like them.High Point Light crowns their highest and steepest point and is the flashing beacon the rays of which spell "America" to the incoming liner Boston bound.

Along the path skirting the edge of the bluff Albert strolled, his hands in his pockets and his thoughts almost anywhere except on the picnic and the picnickers of the South Harniss Congregational Church.His particular mood on this day was one of discontent and rebellion against the fate which had sentenced him to the assistant bookkeeper's position in the office of Z.Snow and Co.At no time had he reconciled himself to the idea of that position as a permanent one; some day, somehow he was going to break away and do--marvelous things.But occasionally, and usually after a disagreeable happening in the office, he awoke from his youthful day dreams of glorious futures to a realization of the dismal to-day.

The happening which had brought about realization in this instance was humorous in the eyes of two-thirds of South Harniss's population.They were chuckling over it yet.The majority of the remaining third were shocked.Albert, who was primarily responsible for the whole affair, was neither amused nor shocked;he was angry and humiliated.

The Reverend Seabury Calvin, of Providence, R.I., had arrived in town and opened his summer cottage unusually early in the season.

What was quite as important, Mrs.Seabury Calvin had arrived with him.The Reverend Calvin, whose stay was in this case merely temporary, was planning to build an addition to his cottage porch.

Mrs.Calvin, who was the head of the summer "Welfare Workers,"whatever they were, had called a meeting at the Calvin house to make Welfare plans for the season.

The lumber for the new porch was ordered of Z.Snow and Co.The Reverend Calvin ordered it himself in person.Albert received the order.

"I wish this delivered to-morrow without fail," said Mr.Calvin.

Albert promised.

But promises are not always easy to keep.One of Z.Snow and Co.'s teams was busy hauling lumber for the new schoolhouse at Bayport.

The other Issachar had commandeered for deliveries at Harniss Center and refused to give up his claim.And Laban Keeler, as it happened, was absent on one of his "vacations." Captain Zelotes was attending a directors' meeting at Osham and from there was going to Boston for a day's stay.

"The ship's in your hands, Al," he had said to his grandson."Let me see how you handle her."So, in spite of Albert's promise, the Calvin lumber was not delivered on time.The Reverend gentleman called to ask why.His manner was anything but receptive so far as excuses were concerned.

"Young man," he said loftily, "I am accustomed to do business with business people.Did you or did you not promise to deliver my order yesterday?""Why, yes sir, I promised, but we couldn't do it.We--""I don't care to know why you didn't do it.The fact that you did not is sufficient.Will that order of mine be delivered to-day?""If it is a possible thing, Mr.Calvin, it--""Pardon me.Will it be delivered?"

The Speranza temper was rising."Yes," said the owner of that temper, succinctly.

"Does yes mean yes, in this case; or does it mean what it meant before?""I have told you why--"

"Never mind.Young man, if that lumber is not delivered to-day Ishall cancel the order.Do you understand?"Albert swallowed hard."I tell you, Mr.Calvin, that it shall be delivered," he said."And it will be."But delivering it was not so easy.The team simply could NOT be taken off the schoolhouse job, fulfillment of a contract was involved there.And the other horse had gone lame and Issachar swore by all that was solemn that the animal must not be used.

"Let old Calvin wait till to-morrow," said Issy."You can use the big team then.And Cap'n Lote'll be home, besides."But Albert was not going to let "old Calvin" wait.That lumber was going to be delivered, if he had to carry it himself, stick by stick.He asked Mr.Price if an extra team might not be hired.