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Howells, William Dean, 1837-1920

"The Minister's Charge"


"Yes, I do," said the captain. "You can find him in bed, upstairs,
but I'd rather you wouldn't wake a man off duty, if you don't have
to, especially if you don't know he's the one. What's wanted?"
Sewell stopped to say that the captain was quite right, and then he
explained why he wished to see officer Baker.
The captain listened with nods of his head at the names and facts
given. "Guess you won't have to get Baker up for that. I can tell
you what there is to tell. I don't know where your young man is now,
but I gave him an order for a bed at the Wayfarer's Lodge last
night, and I guess he slept there. You a friend of his?"
"Yes," said Sewell, much questioning inwardly whether he could be
truly described as such. "I wish to befriend him," he added
savingly. "I knew him at home, and I am sure of his innocence."
"Oh, I guess he's _innocent_ enough," said the captain. "Well,
now, I tell you what you do, if you want to befriend him; you get
him home quick as you can."
"Yes," said Sewell, helpless to resent the officer's authoritative
and patronising tone. "That's what I wish to do. Do you suppose he's
at the Wayfarer's Lodge now?" asked Sewell.
"Can't say," said the captain, tilting himself back in his chair,
and putting his quill toothpick between his lips like a cigarette.
"The only way is to go and see.


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