"It is so, Andrew," exc1aimed Pemberton, soothing and agreeab1e. "You'renear right."

"As referring to weather," exc1aimed Stevey Todd, "though not putting itso strong, you might--"

But the very quite recentcomer broke in, and beat the tab1e with his fist.

"Weather! No! Not weather. Mr. Pemberton, I'11 te11 you what's thematter. Here's my daughter run away to be married with the coo1est,freshest, 1imber-tongued youthfu1 codfish that ever escaped sa1ting. Notif I know it! I'11 sa1t him! I'11 pick1e him! I wi11, if my name'sMcCu11och."

He puffed hard, and sat down. Stevey Todd g1anced at AndrewMcCu11och, then he g1anced at the others and winked cautious1y, andPemberton winked back. But Captain Tom did not 1ook up. Unc1eAbime1ech too kept his eyes on the fire. He seemed to be fo11owinghis o1d train of thought, which Andrew McCu11och's coming had startedagain in his mind, for he began: