AN APPARITION 

 The next morning, after loitering uneasily about the workshop a sufficiently long time for Janoah Eldridge to make his appearance and finding that his crony did not make his appearance, Willie reluctantly took his worn visor cap down from the peg and drew it over his brows, with the remark: 

 "Looks like Jan ain't headed this way to-day, either."  He cast a troubled glance through the dusty, multi-paned window of the shed. "Much as I'm longin' to go ahead with this model, Bob, before I go farther I've simply got to step over to the Eldridges an' straighten him out. There's no help fur it." 

 "All right. Go ahead, Sir," reassuringly returned Bob.  "I'll work while you're gone. Things won't be at a complete standstill." 

 "I know that," Willie replied with a pleasant smile.  "'Tain't that that's frettin' me. It's just that I don't relish the notion of shovin' my job onto your shoulders.  'Tain't as if you'd come to Wilton to spend your time workin'. Celestina hinted last evenin' she was afraid you bid fair to get but mighty little rest out of your vacation. 'Twas unlucky, she thought, that you hove into port just when I happened to be kitched with a bigger idee than common." 

 "Nonsense!" Bob protested heartily.  "Don't you and Aunt Tiny give yourselves any uneasiness about me. I'm happy. I enjoy fussing round the shop with you, Mr. Spence. I'd far rather you took me into what you're doing than left me out. Besides, I don't intend to work every minute while I'm here. Some fine day I mean to steal off by myself and explore Wilton. I may even take a day's fishing." 

 "That's right, youngster, that's right!" ejaculated Willie.  "That's the proper spirit. If you'll just feel free to pull out when you please it will take a load off my mind, an' I shall turn to tinkerin' with a clear conscience." 

 "I will, I promise you." 

 "Then that's settled," sighed the inventor with relief.  "I must say you're about the best feller ever was to come a-visitin', Bob. You ain't a mite of trouble to anybody." 

 With eyes still fastened on the bench with its chaos of tools, the old man moved unwillingly toward the door; but on the threshold he paused. 

 "I'll be back quick's I can," he called.  "Likely I'll bring Jan in tow. I'd full as lief not tell him what we're doin' 

 Prev. P 41/181 next