paintin's and the way to dress and that it's more or less of a disgrace
to economize on twenty thousand a year, their worldly knowledge ain't
too extensive."

"Do you like them?"

"I guess so. Just now ain't the fairest time to judge 'em. You see
they're sufferin' from the joyful shock of their country relation
droppin' in, and--"

He paused and rubbed his chin. His lips were smiling, but his eyes were
not. Sylvester noted their expression, and guessed many things.

"They haven't been disagreeable, I hope?" he asked.

"No-o. No, I wouldn't want to say that. They're young and--and, well,
I ain't the kind they've been used to. Caroline's a nice girl. She is,
sure. All she needs is to grow a little older and have the right kind of
advice and--and friends."

"How about the boy?" Mr. Sylvester had met young Warren, and his eyes
twinkled as he spoke.

"Steve? Well," there was an answering twinkle in Captain Elisha's eye;
"well, Steve needs to grow, too; though I wouldn't presume to tell him
so. When a feller's undertakin' to give advice to one of the seven wise
men, he has to be diplomatic, as you might say."

The lawyer put back his head and laughed uproariously.