"I beg your pardon, Mrs. Black," he said. "Maybe
I have been pretty plain spoken. I'm sorry if I've hurt your feelin's.
But, you see, we're all upset here. I'm upset, and Gertie's as much so
as the rest. She can't talk to you, or anybody else, now. I'm willin' to
try, but you say my talkin' won't do any good."
"Of course it won't. Oh, don't you SEE? I'm sorry Serena is not well,
but this is IMPORTANT."
"I know, but so's her health, 'cordin' to my thinkin'."
"If I might see her just a moment. It is so provoking. Just at this
critical time! Doesn't my--her election mean ANYTHING to you? Don't you
care about the cause?"
The captain shook his head. "All I'm carin' for is my wife, just now,"
he said. "She's all I can think about. If some of us had thought more
about her, maybe--" He stopped, cleared his throat, and added: "I know
you'll understand and forgive us, when you think it over. I'll tell her
you called. Good-mornin'."
If he supposed this was the end, he was mistaken. Annette was not so
easily whipped or discouraged.
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