CHAPTER VII


During the next day Caroline Warren and her brother saw little of their
uncle. Not that they complained of this or sought his society. The
policy of avoidance and what Stephen called "freezing out" had begun,
and the young people kept to themselves as much as possible. At
breakfast Caroline was coldly polite, and her brother cold, although
his politeness was not overdone. However, Captain Elisha did not seem to
notice. He was preoccupied, said but little, and spent the forenoon in
writing a second letter to Miss Abigail. In it he told of his experience
on board the Empress of the Ocean and of the luncheon at the Central
Club. But he said nothing concerning his nephew and niece further than
the statement that he was still getting acquainted, and that Caroline
was a real nice looking girl.

"I suppose you wonder what I've decided about taking the guardianship,"
he added, just at the close. "Well, Abbie, I'm about in the position of
Luther Sylvester when he fell off the dock at Orham. The tide was out,
and he went into the soft mud, all under. When the folks who saw him
tumble got to the edge and looked over, they saw a round, black thing
sticking out of the mire, and, judging 'twas Lute's head, they asked him
how he felt. 'I don't know yet,' sputters Lute, 'whether I'm drowned or
smothered, but I'm somewheres betwixt and between.' That's me, Abbie, on
that guardian business. I'm still betwixt and between. But before this
day's over I'll be drowned or smothered, and I'll let you know which
next time I write."

After lunch he took a stroll in the Park and passed up and down the