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262 Joyce had to break the silence.

"I'm glad Mrs. Christy's feeling better," she ventured lamely. "Has she—did she get outdoors on any of those pleasant days last week?"

"She don't go out much any time," said the captain with regret. "That's why she seems so much better now—better'n I 've seen her for a long time—talks o' goin' to visit Up the Line."

As this phrase meant anywhere between Cape Sable and Toronto, Joyce looked puzzled.

"Her fam'ly, the Defews," he explained. "She's kep' writin' to 'em—I mean," he added in confusion, "they 've kep' writin' to her to come up and visit. She says we can afford it now that—afford it better'n we could."

The girl's eyes grew very wide and round.

"Of course you 'll be going too?" she conjectured.

"Me?" said the captain, amazed; "Lord, no!"