Chapter 13—Cosey Corner

y!andItoredupmyhat'tauseapinpickedme,”shoutedPokey,regardlessofJamie'seffortstorestrainher. CaptainDovelookedrathertakenabackatthisoutbreakintheranksbut,beingadignifiedandcalmpersonage,hequelledtherisingrebellionwithgreattactandskill,bysaying,briefly, “We'llsingthelasthymn'Sweet,sweetgood-by'youallknowthat,sodoitnicely,andthenwewillgoandhaveluncheon.” Peacewasinstantlyrestored,andaburstofmelodydrownedthesuppressedgigglesofRoseandMac,whofounditimpossibletokeepsoberduringthelatterpartofthissomewhatremarkableservice.Fifteenminutesofreposerendereditaphysicalimpossibilityforthecompanytomarchoutasquietlyastheyhadmarchedin.Igrievetostatethattheentiretroopracedhomeashardastheycouldpelt,andweresoonskirmishingbrisklyovertheirlunch,utterlyobliviousofwhatJamie(whohadbeenmuchimpressedbythesermon)called“thecaptain'sbeautifulteck.” ItwasastonishinghowmuchtheyallfoundtodoatCoseyCornerandMac,insteadoflyinginahammockandbeingreadto,ashehadexpected,wasbusiestofall.HewasinvitedtosurveyandlayoutSkeeterville,atownwhichthechildrenweregettingupinahuckleberrypastureandhefoundmuchamusementinplanninglittleroads,stakingoffhouse-lots,attendingtothewater-works,andconsultingwiththe“selectmen”aboutthebestsitesforpublicbuildingsforMacwasaboystill,inspiteofhisfifteenyearsandhisloveofbooks. ThenhewentfishingwithacertainjovialgentlemanfromtheWestandthoughtheyseldomcaughtanythingbutcolds,theyhadgreatfunandexercisechasingthephantomtrouttheywereboundtohave.Macalsodevelopedageologicalmania,andwenttappingaboutatrocksandstones,discoursingwiselyof“strata,periods,andfossilremains”whileRosepickedupleavesandlichens,andgavehimlessonsinbotanyinreturnforhislecturesongeology. TheyledaverymerrylifefortheAtkinsongirlskeptupasortofperpetualpicnicanddiditsocapitally,thatonewasnevertiredofit.Sotheirvisitorsthrovefinely,andlongbeforethemonthwasoutitwasevidentthatDr.Alechadprescribedtherightmedicineforhispatients.