"So? He must be a comfort to you. I s'pose likely he's a friend of my
nephew and niece, too."

"Certainly."

"That's good. Young folks ought to have young friends. You live in this
neighborhood, ma'am?"

The lady did not answer. She gazed haughtily at the trees in the Park.
Captain Elisha rubbed a smile from his lips with his hand and remained
silent. The tall clock ticked loud.

There came the sound of laughter from the passage outside. The hall
door opened. A moment later, Caroline, followed by her brother and young
Dunn, entered the library.

The girl's cheeks were rosy from the cold wind. Her hair, beneath the
fur auto cap, had blown in brown, rippled disorder across her forehead.
She was smiling.

"Oh, Mrs. Dunn!" she cried. "I'm so glad I accepted
your--Malcolm's--invitation. We had a glorious ride! I--"

She stopped short. Captain Warren had risen from his chair and was
facing her. Mrs. Dunn also rose.

"Caroline," she said, nervously, "this"--pausing on the word--"gentleman
is here to see you. He says he is--"