第35章

"Why, because--because of--of what I said to him--er--er--when Icalled here yesterday morning.He--I presume he took offense and--and this outrage is the result.I am convinced that--""Wait a minute.What did you say for him to take offense at?""I demanded that order should be delivered as promised.I am accustomed to do business with business men and--""Hold on just a minute more, Mr.Calvin.We don't seem to be gettin' at the clam in this shell as fast as we'd ought to.Al, what have you got to say about all this business?"Albert was white, almost as white as when he fought Sam Thatcher, but as he stood up to Sam so also did he face the irate clergyman.

He told of the latter's visit to the office, of the threat to cancel the order unless delivery was promised that day, of how his promise to deliver was exacted, of his effort to keep that promise.

"I HAD to deliver it, Grandfather," he said hotly."He had all but called me a liar and--and by George, I wasn't going to--"His grandfather held up a warning hand.

"Sshh! Ssh!" he said."Go on with your yarn, boy."Albert told of the lame horse, of his effort to hire another team, and finally how in desperation he had engaged Ves Young as a last resort.The captain's face was serious but there was the twinkle under his heavy brows.He pulled at his beard.

"Humph!" he grunted."Did you know Ves and Simp had been drinkin'

when you hired 'em?"

"Of course I didn't.After they had gone Issy said he suspected that they had been drinking a little, but _I_ didn't know it.All I wanted was to prove to HIM," with a motion toward Mr.Calvin, "that I kept my word."Captain Zelotes pulled at his beard."All right, Al," he said, after a moment; "you can go."Albert went out of the private office.After he had gone the captain turned to his irate customer.

"I'm sorry this happened, Mr.Calvin," he said, "and if Keeler or Ihad been here it probably wouldn't.But," he added, "as far as Ican see, the boy did what he thought was the best thing to do.

And," the twinkle reappeared in the gray eyes, "you sartinly did get your lumber when 'twas promised."Mr.Calvin stiffened.He had his good points, but he suffered from what Laban Keeler once called "ingrowin' importance," and this ailment often affected his judgment.Also he had to face Mrs.

Calvin upon his return home.

"Do I understand," he demanded, "that you are excusing that young man for putting that outrage upon me?""We-ll, as I say, I'm sorry it happened.But, honest, Mr.Calvin, I don't know's the boy's to blame so very much, after all.He delivered your lumber, and that's somethin'.""Is that all you have to say, Captain Snow? Is that--that impudent young clerk of yours to go unpunished?""Why, yes, I guess likely he is."

"Then I shall NEVER buy another dollar's worth of your house again, sir."Captain Zelotes bowed."I'm sorry to lose your trade, Mr.Calvin,"he said."Good mornin'."