jammed his clenched fists into his pockets.

Captain Elisha pulled thoughtfully at his beard.

"Humph!" he grunted. "Humph! then I cal'late maybe--" He took a step
toward the door, stopped, turned back, and said, with calm decision, "I
guess I'd better stay. You won't mind me, Caroline--you and Stephen. You
MUSTN'T. As I said, I ain't comp'ny. I'm one of the family, your pa's
brother, and I've come some consider'ble ways to see you two young folks
and talk with you. I've come because your pa asked me to. I'm used to
roughin' it, been to sea a good many v'yages, and if a feather bed ain't
handy I can get my forty winks on the floor. So that's settled, and you
mustn't have me on your conscience. That's sense, ain't it, Mrs. Dunn?"

Mrs. Corcoran Dunn did not deign a reply. Caroline answered for her.

"Very well," she said, coldly. Stepping to the desk she rang a bell. The
butler appeared in the doorway.

"Edwards," said Miss Warren, "this gentleman," indicating the captain,
"is to be our guest, for the present. You may show him to his room--the
blue room, I think. If it is not ready, see that it is made so."

"Yes, Miss Caroline," replied Edwards. Retiring to the hall, he returned
with the suit-case.

"Will you wish to go to your room at once, sir?" he asked.

"Why, I guess I might as well, Commodore," answered Captain Elisha,
smiling. "Little soap and water won't do no harm. Fact is, I feel's if