"No. That is by a well-known American artist. It is a good piece of
work, but not like the other. It is worth much less. Perhaps five
thousand."

"So? Well, even for that I'd undertake to buy consider'ble many dories,
and hire fellers to fish from 'em, too. Humph! I guess I'm out of
soundin's. When I thought fifteen dollars was a high price for paintin'
a view of a house I was slightly mistaken. Next time I'll offer the
paintin' feller the house and ask him what he considers a fair boot,
besides. Sam Cahoon's a better speculator than I thought he was. Hello,
Commodore! what's worryin' you now?"

Edwards appeared to announce that dinner was served. Caroline rose
and led the way to the dining room. Captain Elisha followed, looking
curiously about him as he did so. Stephen, who had been sulkily dressing
in his own room, entered immediately after.

The captain surveyed the dining room with interest. Like the others
of the suite, it was sumptuously and tastefully furnished. He took the
chair indicated by the solemn Edwards, and the meal began.

The butler's sense of humor was not acute, but it was with considerable
difficulty that he restrained his smiles during the next half hour. A
more appreciative observer would have noticed and enjoyed the subtler
points. Stephen's glare of disgust at his uncle when the latter tucked
his napkin in the opening of his waistcoat; Caroline's embarrassment
when the captain complimented the soup, declaring that it was almost
as good as one of Abbie's chowders; the visitor's obvious uneasiness at
being waited upon attentively, and the like. These Edwards missed, but