Hepushedbackhischairandstoodup。Shecontinuedtolookhimover，muchasifsheweretakingamentalinventoryofhischaracter，orrevisinganoldone。”Ihope，”shesaid，lightly，butwithdeliberation，”ourlittleargumentand——er——slightdisagreementconcerning——er——dutywillnotmakeusenemies，CaptainWarren。””Enemies！Landsakes，no！Irespectanybody’shavin’opinionsandnotbein’afraidtogive’em。AndIthinkIcanunderstandsomeofhowyoufeel。MaybeifIwasanchoredhereonFifthAvenue，sameasyouare，insteadofbein’blowninbyanunexpectedno’theaster，I’dbefeelin’thesameway。It’sallaccordin’，asI’vesaidsooften。Enemies？No，indeed！”
　　Shelaughedagain。”I’msoglad！”shesaid。”Malcolmdeclareshe’dbequiteafraidofme——asanenemy。HeseemstothinkI
　　possesssomemysteriousandquitediabolicaltalentformakingmyun-friendsuncomfortable，anddeclareshewouldcompromiseratherthanfightmeatanytime。Ofcourseit’sridiculous——justoneofhisjokes——andI’mreallyharmlessandverymuchafraid。That’swhyIwantyouandmetobefriends，CaptainWarren。””Sure！”CaptainElishanoddedemphatically。”That’swhatIwant，too。”
　　Butthatevening，immediatelyafterhisreturntotheapartment，when——Carolinehavinggonetoherownroomtoremoveherwraps——heandthebutlerwerealone，hecharacteristicallyunburdenedhismind。”Mr。Warren，sir，”saidEdwards，”ayounggentlemanleftanotehereforyouthisafternoon。Theelevatormangaveittome，sir。
　　It’sonyourdressingtable，sir。”
　　Thecaptain’sanswerhadnothingwhatevertodowiththenote。Hehadbeenthinkingofotherthings。”Commodore，”hesaid，”I’vegottheanswer。””Tothenote？Already，sir？Ididn’tknowyou’dseenit。””Iain’t。I’vegottheanswertotheconundrum。It’sMother！””Mother，sir？I——Idon’tknowwhatyoumean。””Ido。Theanswer’sMother。Sonnydon’tcount，thoughhemaythinkhedoes。ButMother’sthewholeteamandthedogunderthewagon。And，Commodore，we’vegottotrotsomeifwewanttokeepaheadofthatteam！Don’tyouforgetit！”
　　Hewenttohisroom，leavingthebewilderedbutlertoretiretothekitchen，whereheinformedthecookthattheoldmanwasoffhisheadworsethancommontonight。”Blessedifhedon’tthinkhe’satrottinghorse！”saidEdwards。
　　CHAPTERXI
　　Thenoteonthediningroomtableproved，tothecaptain’sdelight，tobefromJamesPearson。Itwasbriefandtothepoint。”Whydon’tyoucomeandseeme？”wrotetheyoungman。”I’vebeenexpectingyou，andyoupromisedtocome。Haveyouforgottenmyaddress？Ifso，hereitis。Iexpecttobeinalldayto-morrow。”
　　Theconsequenceofthiswasthateleveno’clockthenextdayfoundCaptainElishapullingthebellatabrickhouseinalongbrickblockonaWestSidestreet。Theblockhadevidentlybeen，initstime，thehomesofwell-to-dopeople，butnowitwasratherdingyandgonetoseed。Acrossthestreetthefirstfloorswere，forthemostpart，smallshops，andinthewindowsabovethemdoctors’
　　signsalternatedwiththoseofmodistes，manicureartists，andmilliners。
　　Thecaptainhadcomearoundaboutway，stoppinginattheMoriartyflat，wherehefoundMrs。Moriartyinacuriousstateofwoeandtearfulpride。”Oh，whatwillIdo，sir？”shemoaned。”WhenI
　　thinkhe’sgone，itseemsasifI’ddie，too。But，thankstoyouandMissWarren——Marymakeituptoher！——myPat’llhavethefinestfuneralsincetheGuinnysaloonmanwasburied。Ah，ifhecouldhavelivedtoseeit，he’dhavediedcontent！”
　　Thepullattheboarding-housebellwasansweredbyaratherslatternlymaid，whoinformedthevisitorthatsheguessedMr。
　　Pearsonwasin；he’mostalwayswasaroundlunchtime。SoCaptainElishawaitedinatypicalboarding-houseparlor，beforeagratewithnofireinitandsurroundedbywalnutandplushfurniture，untilPearsonhimselfcamehurryingdownstairs。”Say，you’reabrick，CaptainWarren！”hedeclared，astheyshookhands。”Ihopedyou’dcometo-day。Whyhaven’tyoubefore？”
　　Thecaptainexplainedhishavingmislaidtheaddress。”Oh，wasthatit？ThenI’mgladIremindedyou。Ratheracheekythingtodo，butI’vebeenareporter，andnerveisnecessaryinthatprofession。Ibegantobeafraidlivingamongtheblue-bloodshadhaditseffect，andyouweregettingfinickyastoyouracquaintances。””Youdidn’tbelieveanysuchthing。””Didn’tI？Well，perhapsIdidn’t。Comeuptomyroom。Ithinkwecanjustaboutsqueezein，ifyoudon’tmindsittingclose。”
　　Pearson’sroomwasonthethirdflight，atthefrontofthehouse。
　　Throughthewindowonesawtheupperhalfofthebuildingsopposite，andabovethemastretchofsky。Thebedwasasmallbrassandironaffair，buttherestofthefurniturewasofgoodquality，thechairswereeasyandcomfortable，andthewallswerethicklyhungwithphotographs，frameddrawings，andprints。”Iputthoseuptocoverthewallpaper，”explainedthehost。”I
　　don’tofferthemasanartcollection，butasascreen。Sitdown。
　　Putyourcoatonthebed。ShallIclosethewindow？Iusuallykeeptheupperhalfopentoletoutthepipesmoke。OtherwiseI
　　mightnotbeabletonavigatewithoutfogsignals。”
　　Hisvisitorchuckled，followeddirectionswithhiscoatandhat，andsatdown。Pearsontookthechairbythesmallflat-toppeddesk。”Howaboutthatwindow？”heasked。”ShallIshutit？””No，no！We’llbewarmenough，Iguess。You’vegotsteamheat，I
　　see。””Youmeanyouhear。Thosepipesmakenoiseenoughtowakethedead。AtfirstIthoughtIcouldn’tsleepbecauseoftherackettheymade。NowIdoubtifIcouldwithoutit。Wouldyouconsideracigar，Captain？””Hum！Idon’tusuallystoptoconsider。ButItellyou，Jim——justnowyousaidsomethingaboutapipe。I’vegotmineaboard，butI
　　ain’tdaredtosmokeitsinceIleftSouthDenboro。Ifyouwouldn’tmind——””Notabit。Tobaccointhisjaronthedesk。Ikeepatemporarysupplyinmyjacketpocket。Matches？Hereyouare！Whatdoyouthinkofmy——er——stateroom？””Thinkitmakesnice，snugquarters，”wasthepromptanswer。”Humph！Snugisagoodword。Muchlikelivinginanomnibus，butitanswersthepurpose。Ifurnisheditmyself，exceptforthebed。
　　Theoriginalbureauhadpicturesofcauliflowerspaintedoneachdrawerfront。Mrs。Hepton——mylandlady——wasconvincedthattheywereroses。Itoldhershemightberight，but，atallevents，lookingatthemmademehungry。Perhapsshenoticedtheeffectonmyappetiteandwaswillingformetosubstitute。”
　　Thecaptainlaughed。Then，pointing，heasked:”What’sthathandbill？”
　　The”handbill”wasafair-sizedposterannouncingtheproductionatthe”EurekaOperaHouse”ofthe”ThrillingComedy-Drama，TheGoldenGods。”Pearsonlookedatit，madeaface，andshookhishead。”That，”hesaid，”ismycombinedcrusherandcomforter。Itistheannouncementofthefirst，andnexttothelast，performanceofaplayIwroteinmycalfdays。The’EurekaOperaHousesis——orwas，ifthe’gods’weren’ttoomuchforit——locatedatDaybury，Illinois。Ikeepthatbilltopreventmyconceitgettingawaywithme。Also，whenIgetdiscouragedovermynovel，itremindsmethat，howeverbadtheyarnmayturnouttobe，Ihavecommittedworsecrimes。
　　Thisledtothecaptain’saskingaboutthenovelandhowitwasprogressing。Hiscompanionadmittedhavingmadesomeprogress，moreinthelineofrevisionthananythingelse。Hehadremodeledhisherosomewhat，inaccordancewithhisnewfriend’ssuggestionsduringtheirinterviewattheWarrenapartment，andhadintroducedothercharacters，portraitsketchesfrommemoryofpersonswhomhehadknowninhisboyhooddaysintheMainetown。Hereadafewchaptersaloud，andCaptainElishawaxedalmostenthusiasticoverthem。
　　Thenfollowedalongdiscussionoverapointofseamanship，thehandlingofabarkinagale。Itdevelopedthattheyoungauthor’sknowledgeofsaltwaterstrategywasextensiveandcorrectinthemain，thoughsomewhattheoretical。Thatofhiscriticwasbaseduponpracticeandhardexperience。Hecitedthisskipperandthatasexamples，andcarriedthemthroughno’theastersoffHatterasandtyphoonsintheIndianOcean。Theroom，inspiteoftheopenwindow，grewthickwithpipesmoke，andtheargumentwaspunctuatedbythumpsonthedeskandchairarms，andillustratedbydiagramsdrawnbythecaptain’sforefingeronthesideofthedresser。Theeffectsofoilonbreakingrollers，theuseofa”sea-anchor”overthesideto”holdhertoit，”whetherornotamanwasjustifiedinabandoninghisshipundercertaingivencircumstances，theseweredebatedproandcon。AlwaysPearson’s”UncleJim”washeldupasthefinalauthority，theparagonofseacaptains，bythevisitor，and，whilehishostpretendedtoagree，withmodestreservations，inthisestimateofhisrelative，hewasmoreandmorecertainthathisherowasboundtobecomeayouthfuleditionofElishaWarrenhimself——andhethankedthefateswhichhadbroughtthisfine，able，old-schoolmarinertohisdoor。
　　Atlength，CaptainElisha，havingworked”UncleJim”intoasafeharborafterahundredmilecruiseunderjuryjig，withallhandswatchandwatchatthepumps，leanedforwardintriumphtorefillhispipe。Havingdoneso，hiseyesremainedfixeduponaphotographstanding，partiallyhiddenbyaleathercollarbox，uponthedresser。Helookedatitintently，thenroseandtookitinhishand。”Well，Iswan！”heexclaimed。”Eitherwhatmyhead’sbeenthefullestoflatelyhasstrucktomyeyesight，orelse——why，say，Jim，that’sCaroline，ain’tit？”
　　Pearsoncoloredandseemedembarrassed。”Yes，”heanswered，”thatisMissWarren。””Humph！Goodlikeness，too！Butwhatkindofrighasshegoton？
　　I’veseenherwearagoodmanydresses——seemstohaveadifferentoneforeveryday，prettynigh——butIneversawherinanythinglikethat。Lookssortofoutlandish；likeoneofthemforeigngirlsatGeneva——orLeghorn，say。””Yes。ThatisanItalianpeasantcostume。MissWarrenworeitatafancydressballayearago。””Wanttoknow！I-talianpeasant，hey！FifthAvenuepeasantwithdiamondsinherhair。Becomin’toher，ain’tit。””Ithoughtso。””Yup。ShelooksprettyENOUGH！Butshedon’tneeddiamondsnorhand-organclothestomakeherpretty。”
　　Then，lookingupfromthephotograph，heasked，”Giveyouthispicture，didshe？”
　　Hisfriend’sembarrassmentincreased。”No，”heansweredshortly。
　　Then，afteraninstant’shesitation。”ThatballwasgivenbytheAstorbiltsandwasoneofthemostswaggeraffairsoftheseason。
　　ThePlanet——thepaperwithwhichIwasconnected——issuesaSundaysupplementofhalf-tonereproductionsofphotographs。Onepagewasgivenuptopicturesoftheballandthecostumeswornthere。””Isee。Astonishin’howfolksdoliketogettheirfacesintoprint。Iusedtoknowanoldwoman——AuntHepsibahTucker，hernamewas——she’sdeadnow。TheprideofAuntHepsy’sheartwasthatshetooknineteenbottlesof’BalmofBurdockTea’andtheteafolksprintedherpictureasatestimonialthatshelivedthroughit。
　　Ho，ho！Andsocietybig-bugsappeartohavethesamecravin’。””Someofthemdo。Butthatofyourniecewasobtainedbyoursocietyreporterfromthephotographerwhotookit。Briberyandcorruption，ofcourse。MissWarrenwouldhavebeenatleastsurprisedtoseeitinoursupplement。Ifanciedshemightnotcareforsomuchpublicityandsuppressedit。””Um-hm。Well，Iguessyoudidright。I’llthankyouforher。Bytheway，ItoldCarolinewhereIwascal’latin’togothismornin’，andshewishedtoberememberedtoyou。”
　　Pearsonseemedpleased，buthemadenocomment。CaptainElishablewasmokeringfromhispipe。”Andsay，Jim，”headded，embarrassedinhisturn，”Ihopeyouwon’tthinkI’minterferin’inyouraffairs，butareyoustillsetagainstcomin’uptowhereIlive？Iknowyousaidyouhadareason，butareyousureit’sagoodone？”
　　Hewaitedforananswerbutnonecame。Pearsonwasgazingoutofthewindow。Thecaptainlookedathiswatchandrose。”IguessI’llhavetobegoin’，”hesaid。”It’saftertwelvenow。”
　　Hishostswungaroundinhischair。”Sitdown，Captain，”hesaid。”I’vebeendoingalotofthinkingsinceIsawyou，andI’mnotsureaboutthatreason。IbelieveI’llaskyouradvice。Itisadelicatematter，anditinvolvesyourbrother。Youmayseeitashedid，and，ifso，ourfriendshipends，Isuppose。ButI’mgoingtoriskit。”Mr。RodgersWarrenandI，”hewenton，”werewellacquaintedduringthelatterpartofmynewspaperwork。IwasfinancialmanonthePlanet，andsomearticlesIwrotetookyourbrother’sfancy。
　　Atallevents，hewrotemeconcerningtheminhighlycomplimentarytermsandaskedmetocallandseehimathisoffice。Ididsoand——well，webecameveryfriendly，somuchsothatheinvitedmetohishouse。Idinedthereseveraltimes，wasinvitedtocalloften，and——Ienjoyedit。Yousee，Ihadfewfriendsinthecity，outsidemyjournalisticacquaintances，andIsupposeIwasflatteredbyMr。Warren’skindnessandthefancyheseemedtohavetakentome。AndIlikedMissWarren——noonecouldhelpthat——andIbelievedshelikedme。””Shedoeslikeyou，”interruptedhiscompanion，withsurprise。”Caroline’sagoodgirl。””Yes，sheis。However，sheisn’tinthisstory，exceptasaside-
　　issue。Atthistimemyambitionswereforanewspapercareer，andIthoughtIwassucceeding。Andherfather’smarkedinterestandthethingshesaidtomepromisedmorethananordinarysuccess。
　　Hewasawellknownmanonthestreet，andinfluential。Somyheadbegantoswell，andIdreamed——alotoffoolishness。Andthen——”
　　Hepaused，putdownhisemptypipe，andsighed。”Well，then，”hecontinued，”cametheupset。Ijudgedfromwhatyousaidatourpreviousconversation，Captain，thatyouwerewellenoughacquaintedwithWallStreettoknowthatqueeroperationstakeplacethere。DidyoureadabouttheSouthShoreTrolleybusiness？”
　　CaptainElishaconsidered。”Why，yes，”hesaid，slowly，”seem’sifIdid。Oneofthoseconsolidationswith’holdin’companies’andfranchisesandextensionsandwaterbythehogshead。Wa’n’tthatit？Iremembernow；theBostonpapershadconsiderableaboutit，andIpresumelikelytheNewYorkoneshadmore。Oneofthoseall-
　　accordin’-to-lawswindlesthatsproutsameastoadstoolsinadarkplace，butdieoutifthelight’sturnedontoosudden。Thisonedidn’tcometonothin’butabadsmell，ifIrememberright。””Youdo。AndIsupposeI’mresponsibleforthesmell。Igotwindofthething，investigated，foundoutsomethingofwhatwasgoingon，andprintedapreliminarystoryinthePlanet。Itcausedasensation。”
　　Hepausedoncemore。CaptainElisha，forthesakeofsayingsomething，observed，”Ishouldn’twonder。””Itcertainlydid。Andthemorningonwhichitappeared，Mr。
　　RodgersWarren’phonedme。Hewishedtoseemeatonce。Iwentdowntohisoffice。Captain，Idisliketotellyouthis。Mr。
　　Warrenwasyourbrother。””Iknowhewas。AndI’mhisexecutor。Boththosereasonsmakeme’speciallyanxioustohaveyoutellmethetruth。Heaveaheadnow，toobligeme。””Well，Ifoundhimverypoliteandcordial，atfirst。HesaidthataridiculousandsensationalstoryconcerningtheTrolleyCombinehadappearedinthePlanet，andhewouldliketohavemecontradictitandsuppressfurtherfalsehoodsofthekind。ItoldhimI
　　couldn’tdothat，becausethestorywastrue。Ihadwrittenitmyself。Hewasangry，andIcouldseethathewasholdinghimselfinbymainstrength。Iwentontoexplainthatitwasthedutyofanhonestpaper，asIsawit，toexposesuchtrespassuponthepeople’srights。HeaskedmeifIknewwhowasbehindthescheme。
　　IsaidIknewsomeofthebackers。Theywereprettybigmen，too。
　　Thenheinformedmethathehimselfwasdeeplyinterested。”Iwasknockedoffmyfeetbythat，youcanimagine。And，tobefrank，Captain，ifIhadknownitatfirstI’mnotsurethatI，personally，wouldhavetakenthematterup。YetImight；Ican’ttell。ButnowthatIhaddoneitanddiscoveredwhatIhad，I
　　couldn’tgiveitup。Imustgoonandlearnmore。AndIknewenoughalreadytobecertainthatthemoreIlearnedthemoreI
　　shouldwriteandhavepublished。Itwasoneofthosethingswhichhadtobemadepublic——ifafellowhadaconscienceabouthimandaprideinthedecencyofhisprofession。”AllthiswasgoingthroughmyheadasIsatthereinhisprivateoffice。Andhetookmysurpriseandhesitationassymptomsofwaveringandwentatme，hard。OfcourseIknew，hesaid，thattheoperationwasabsolutelywithinthelaw。Idid，butthatdidn’tmakeitmorehonestormoralorjust。Hewentontosaythatinlargefinancialdealsofthisnaturepettyscruplesmustbelostsightof。Goodofthebusiness，rightsofstockholders，allthatsortofstuff；herangthechanges。Allthepaperscaredforwassensation；toimperilthefortuneofwidowsandorphanswhosesavingswereinvestedintheSouthShoreStock，forthesakeofsensation，wasacrime。Heshouldhaveknownbetterthantosaythattome；itissuchanancient，worn-outplatitude。””Iknow。I’vebeentopoliticalmeetin’s。Thewidowsandorphansarealwayshangin’onthesuccessoftheRepublicanparty——ortheDemocratic，whicheverwayyouvote。Theamountoftearsshedovertheirinvestmentsbyfellersyouwouldn’ttrustwithabrassfive-
　　centpiece，issomethin’amazin’。Goon；Ididn’tmeantointerrupt。””Thenheswitchedtoamorepersonalappeal。Hesaidhehadtakenafancytome；hadlikedmefromtheverybeginning。Herecognizedmyunusualgeniusatfirstsightandhadgoneasfarastomakeplansbearingdirectlyonmyfuture。Hewasassociatedwithmenofwealthandbusinesssagacity。Largedeals，ofwhichtheTrolleyCombinewasbutone，wereonfoot。Heandhisfriendsneededarepresentativeonthepress——apublicityagent，sotospeak。Someofthegreatestcorporationsemployedmenofthatkind，andthesalariespaidwerelargeandtheopportunitiesaffordedgreaterstill。Well，that’strueenough。Iknowwriterswhoaredoingjustthatthingandgettingrichatit。Isupposethey’vesquaredtheirconsciencessomehowandarewillingtowriteliesandmisleadingarticlesforwhatthereisinit。Ican’t，that’sall；
　　I’mnotbuiltthatway，andItoldhimso。”Itendedinanopenbreak。Heremindedmeofthefavorshehaddoneme。Hehadtreatedmealmostlikeason，hadintroducedmetohisfamily，entertainingmeathistable。Wherewasmygratitude？
　　Thatwasanotherbadbreakonhispart，foritmadememad。ItoldhimIhadnotaskedtobeadoptedorfedbyhim；ifIhadsupposedhiskindnesshadanulteriormotive，IwouldhaveseenhimatthedevilbeforeIacceptedafavor。Mycareerasafinancialvisitorwasended。Getoutofhisoffice！Igot。ButtheTrolleyCombinedidnotgothrough。ThePlanetandtheotherpaperskeptupthefightand——andthewidowsandorphansarebankrupt，Ipresume。”
　　CaptainElisha’spipehadgoneoutlongsince。Heabsentlyrubbedthewarmbowlbetweenhispalms。”Humph！”hemuttered。”So’Bijewasdeepinthatbusiness，washe？””Hewas。Verydeepindeed，Ifoundoutafterwards。And，I
　　declare，Ialmostpitiedhimatthetime。Heactedasifhiswholefortunewasstakedonthegamble。Hishandsshook，andtheperspirationstoodonhisforeheadashetalked。IfeltasifI
　　hadbeenthemeansofruininghim。Butofcourse，Ihadn’t。Helivedforsometimeafterthat，and，Iunderstand，diedarichman。””Yes。HeleftwhatI’dcallaheapofmoney。Mynephewandniecedon’tseemtothinkso，butIdo。””Soyousee，Captain，whyIstoppedcallingontheWarrens，andwhyIdidnotacceptMissWarren’sinvitation。””Isee……Isee……AndyetIdon’tknow。’Bijemayhavetooktoyouforbusinessreasons，butthechildrendidn’t。Theylikedyouforyourself。Carolineasmuchassaidso。Andtheirfathernevertold’emawordabouttherow，neither。Ofcourseyoucouldn’thavecalledwhenhewasalive，buthe’sgone，andI’m——
　　well，I’msortoftemporaryskippertherenow。And_I_wantyoutocome。””ButifMissWarrendidknow？Sheshouldknow，Ithink。””Iain’tsurethatsheshould。Iguessthere’sconsider’bleinherpa’slifesheain’tacquaintedwith。Andshe’sasstraightandhonestanduprightasaschooner’sfo’mast。Youdidnothin’tobe’shamedof。It’stheotherway’round，’cordin’tomynotion。Butleaveheroutofitnow。I’vesacrificedsomefewthingstotakethejobI’vegotatpresent，butIcan’taffordtosacrificemyfriends。Icountonyouasafriend，andIwantyoutocomeandseeME。Willyou？””Idon’tknow，CaptainWarren。Imustthinkitoverawhile，I
　　guess。””Allright——think。Buttheinvitationstands——MYinvitation。And，ifyouwanttoshiftresponsibility，shiftitontome。Someday，ifit’llmakeyoufeelbetter，I’lltellCarolineandSteviethewholestory。ButIwantthemtoknowyouandtheworld——andme——alittlebetterfirst。’Cordin’tomynotion，theyneededucationjustalongthatline。They’vegotteachersinotherbranches，but……There！I’veGOTtobegoin’。There’sthedinnerbellnow。”
　　ThestringofJapanesegongs，hunginthelowerhall，soundedsonorously。CaptainElishareachedforhiscoatandhat，butPearsoncaughthisarm。”No，youdon’t！”hedeclared。”You’regoingtostayandhavelunchwithme——here。Ifyousayno，Ishallbelieveitisbecauseyouareafraidofaboarding-housemeal。”
　　Hisguestprotested，buttheprotestswereoverruled，andheandhishostwentdowntothediningroom。Thecaptainwhisperedastheyentered，”Landsakes，Jim，thistakesmebackhome。It’sprettynighatwintothedinin’roomattheCentreHouseinSouthDenboro。”
　　Allboarding-housediningroomsbearafamilylikeness，sothecommentwasnotfarwrong。Alongtable，rowsofchairsoneachside，ancientandhonorablepicturesonthewalls，thelandladypresidingmajesticallyovertheteapot，theboarders’napkinsinrings——allthefamiliarlandmarkswerepresent。
　　Mostofthemale”regulars”wereinbusinessaboutthecityandthereforelunchedelsewhere，butthefemaleswereinevidence。
　　Pearsonintroducedhisguest。ThecaptainmetMrs。Hepton，thelandlady，plump，gray-haired，andgraciouslyhospitable。Shedidnotlookatalllikeabusinesswoman，butappearancesarenotalwaystobetrusted；Mrs。Heptonhadlearnednottotrustthem——
　　alsodelinquentboarders，toofar。HemetMissSherborne，whosecoiffuredidnotmatchinspots，butwhosevoice，sohelearnedafterward，hadbeen”cultivatedabroad。”MissSherbornegavemusiclessons。Mrs。VanWinkleRugglesalsoclaimedhisattentionandheldit，principallybecauseofthefadedrichnessofherapparel。
　　Mrs。Ruggleswasawidow，sufferingfromfinancialreverses；thecontrastbetweenherpresentmodeoflivingandthegrandeurofthepastformedherprincipaltopicofconversation。
　　Therewerehalfadozenothers，includinganartistwhoseaversiontobarberswasproclaimedbytheluxuriantlengthofhislocks，aquietoldgentlemanwhokeptthesecond-handbookstoretwodoorsbelow；hiswife，aneat，trimlittlebody；andMr。andMrs。C。
　　Dickens，noless。
　　Mr。Dickenswasbald，anafflictionwhichhetriedtoconcealbybrushingthehairatthesidesofhisheadacrossthedesertatthetop。Heshavedhischeeksandworeabeardandmustache。Mrs。
　　Dickensaddressedhimas”C。，”andhandedhimthesaucebottle，thebread，orwhateversheimaginedhedesired，asifshewereofferingsacrificetoanidol。
　　ShesatnexttoCaptainElishaandimpartedinformationconcerningherlordandmasterinwhispers，duringtheintervalsbetweenofferings。”Myhusbandwillbepleasedtomeetyou，CaptainWarren，”shemurmured。”AnyfriendofMr。Pearsoniscertaintobeanacquisition。Mr。Pearsonandmyhusbandarecongenialspirits；
　　theyaremembersofthesameprofession。””Iwanttoknow，ma’am。””Yes。Whatisit，’C。’dear？Oh，thebutter！Margaret——”tothewaitress——”Mr。Dickenswishesanotherbutter-ball。Yes，CaptainWarren，Mr。Dickensisanauthor。Haven’tyounoticedthe——er——
　　resemblance？Itisconsideredquiteremarkable。”
　　CaptainElishalookedpuzzled。”Why，”hesaid，”Ihadn’tnoticedit’special。Jim’s——Mr。Pearson’s——eyesandhisaresomethesamecolor，but——””Oh，no！nottheresemblancetoMr。Pearson。Ididn’tmeanTHAT。
　　Theresemblancetohismorefamousnamesake。SurelyyounoticeitNOW。”
　　Thecaptainshookhishead。”I——I’mafraidI’mthick-headed，ma’am，”headmitted。”I’moutofsoundin’s。””Butthenose，andhisbeard，andhismanner。Don’ttheyremindyouoftheEnglishDickens？””O-oh！”CaptainElishainspectedthegreatmanwithinterest。Hehadavaguememoryofaportraitinavolumeof”Pickwick”athome。”Oh，Isee！Yes，yes。””Ofcourseyousee！Everyonedoes。Mr。Dickensoftensays——itisoneofhisfavoritejokes——thatwhileothermenmustchooseaprofession，hiswaschosenforhimbyfate。How，withsuchaname，couldhedoanythingexceptwrite？””Idon’tknow，ma’am。Butnamesareriskypilots，ain’tthey？
　　I’verunagainstaconsider’blenumberofSolomons，buttherewa’n’toneof’emthatcarriedmore’nadeckloadofwisdom。TheychristenedmeElisha，butIcan’tevenprophesytheweatherwithsartintyenoughtobet。However，Idaresayinyourhusband’scaseit’sallright。”
　　Theladyhadturnedaway，andhewasafraidhemighthaveoffendedher。Thefearwasgroundless；shewasmerelyofferinganothersacrifice，thesugarthistime。”Yes？”sheasked，turning，”youweresaying——””Why——er——nothin’ofaccount。Ical’latetheC。standsforCharles，then。””No-o。Mr。Dickens’sChristiannameisCornelius；butdon’tmentionitbeforehim，heisverysensitiveonthatpoint。”
　　TheDickenses”tickled”thecaptainexceedingly，and，afterthemealwasover，hespokeofthemtoPearson。”Say，”hesaid，”you’reinnotoriouscompany，ain’tyou，Jim？
　　WhathasCorneliusCharlesturnedoutsofar，inthewayofmasterpieces？”
　　Pearsonlaughed。”Ibelieveheisemployedbyasubscriptionhouse，”hereplied。”Doinghackworkonanencyclopedia。Agreatcollectionoffreaks，aren’tthey，CaptainWarren？””Kindof。Butthatoldbook-shopmanandhiswifeseemnicefolks。
　　And，asforfreaks，theaverageboardin’house，cityorcountry，seemstodraw’emlikeflies。Iguessmostanybodywouldgetqueeriftheyboardedallthetime。””Perhapsso。Or，iftheyweren’tqueer，theywouldn’tboardpermanentlyfromchoice。Therearetwoorthreegoodfellowswhodineandbreakfasthere。Thefoodisn’tbad，consideringtheprice。””No，itain’t。TastedmorelikehomethananymealI’vehadforagoodwhile。I’mafraidIneverwascutoutforswelllivin’。”
　　Mrs。Heptonapproachedthemastheystoodinthehall。ShewishedtoknowifMr。Pearson’sfriendwasthinkingoffindinglodgings。
　　BecauseMr。Saks——theartist’sname——wasgivingupthesecondfloorbackinafortnight，anditwasaverypleasantroom。”Weshouldbedelightedtoaddyoutoourlittlecircle，CaptainWarren。”
　　Pearsontoldherthathiscompanionwasalreadylodged，andshesaidgood-byandleftthem。Thecaptainsmiledbroadly。”EverythinginNewYorkseemstobecircles，”hedeclared。”Well，Jim，youcomeupandcirculatewithme，firstchanceyouget。I’mdependin’onyoutocall，remember。”
　　Theyoungmanwasstilldoubtful。”I’llsee，”hesaid。”Ican’tpromiseyet——perhapsIwill。””Youwill——afteryou’vethoughtitouttoafinish。Andcomesoon。
　　I’mgettin’interestedinthatsecondeditionofyourUncleJim，andIwanttokeepalongwithhimasfastasyouwrite。Good-by。
　　Muchobligedforthedinner——thereIgoagain！——luncheon，Imean。”
　　CHAPTERXII
　　Pearsoncalled。HeappearedattheapartmentaweekaftertheluncheonattheboardinghouseandwaswelcomedbytheCaptainElisha，who，hearinghisvoice，strodeintothehall，senttheshockedEdwardstotheright-aboutinahurry，seizedhisfriend’shand，andusheredhimintothelibrary。Pearsonsaidnothingconcerninghischangeofmind，thecourseofreasoningwhichledhimtomakethevisit，andthecaptainaskednoquestions。Hetookitforgrantedthattheyoungfellow’scommonsensehadturnedthetrick，and，theresultbeingwhatitwas，thatwassufficient。
　　Theyspentapleasantafternoontogether。Carolinewasout，andtheyhadthelibrarytothemselves。Thenewestchaptersofthenovelwerereadanddiscussed，andthesaltyflavorofthetalkwasaspronouncedasever。Pearsonleftearly，butpromisedtocomeagainverysoon。
　　WhenCarolinereturnedheruncletoldherofhisvisitor。Sheseemedunfeignedlypleased，butregrettedthatshehadnotbeenthere。”Hewassuchafriendoffather’s，”shesaid，”thatseeinghimherewouldbealmostliketheolddays。Andsomanyofthosewhomwethoughtwerehisfriendsandourshaveleftus。”
　　Thiswastrue。RodgersWarrenandhischildrenhadhadmanyacquaintances，hadbeenactiveinchurchandcharitablework，andtheirformerhomewasacenterofentertainmentandgayetywhilehelived。Buthisdeathandtherumorsofshrinkageinthefamilyfortune，thegivingupoftheFifthAvenueresidence，theperiodofmourningwhichforbadesocialfunctions，allthesehelpedtobringaboutforgetfulnessonthepartofthemany；andCaroline’ssupersensitivenessandherfirmresolvenottoforcehersocietywhereitmightbeunwelcomehadbeenthecausesofmisunderstandinginothers，whoselikingandsympathyweregenuine。”Idon’tseewhathascomeoverCarolineWarren，”declaredaformergirlfriend，”sheisn’tabitassheusedtobe。Well，I’vedonemypart。Ifshedoesn’twishtoreturnmycall，sheneedn’t。_I_sha’n’tannoyheragain。ButI’msorry，forshewasthesweetestgirlIknew。”
　　Stephenhadneverbeenverypopular，andhisabsenceatcollegestillfurtherreducedthenumberofyoungpeoplewhomightbeinclinedtocall。TheirnotcallingconfirmedCaroline’sbeliefthatsheandherbrotherweredeliberatelyshunnedbecauseoftheirchangeincircumstances，andshegrewmoresensitiveandproudlyresentfulinconsequence。Naturallysheturnedforcomforttothosewhoremainedfaithful，theDunnsinparticular。Theywereloyaltoher。Therefore，withtheintensityofhernature，shebecamedoublyloyaltothem。TherectorofSt。Denisdroppedinfrequently，andothersoccasionally，butshewaslonely。Shecravedthesocietyofthosenearerherownage。
　　Pearson’scoming，then，waspsychologicallyapt。WhenhemadehisnextcalluponCaptainElisha，tofindthelatteroutbuthisnieceathome，shewelcomedhimcordiallyandinsisteduponhiswaitinguntilherguardianreturned。Theconversationwas，atfirst，embarrassingfortheex-reporter；shespokeofherfather，andPearson——thememoryofhislastinterviewwiththelatterfreshinhismind，andpainfullyawarethatsheknewnothingofit——feltguiltyandlikeahypocrite。Butsoonthesubjectchanged，andwhenthecaptainenteredthelibraryhefoundthepairlaughingandchattinglikeoldacquaintances，as，ofcourse，theywere。
　　CaptainElisha，payingnoattentiontohisfriend’sshakesofthehead，invitedhisniecetobepresentatthereadingofthelatestadditiontowhathecalled”mineandJim’srecord-breakin’seayarn。””It’sreallymine，youunderstand，Caroline，”heobserved，withawink。”I’msilentpartnerinthefirm——ifyoucancalltheonethatdoesallthetalkin’silent——andJimdon’tdonothin’butmakeitupandwriteitandgettheprofits。Course，youmustn’tmentionthistohim，’causehethinkshe’stheauthor，and’twouldhurthisfeelin’s。””He’squiteright，”declaredPearson，emphatically。”Ifthethingiseverfinishedandpublishedhewilldeserveallthecredit。Hisadvicehadalreadyremadeit。Thisuncleofyours，MissWarren，”
　　headded，turningtoher，”isliketheadmiralKiplingwroteabout——
　　hehas’livedmorestories’thaneverIcouldinvent。”
　　Thecaptain，fearfulthathisniecemighttakethestatementseriously，hastenedtoprotest。”He’sjustfoolin’，Caroline，”hesaid。”AllI’vedoneissetandtalkandtalkandtalk。I’veusedupmoreofhistimeandthesurroundin’airthanyou’dbelievewaspossible。WhenIgetnexttosaltwater，eveninprint，it’stimetomuzzleme，sameasadoginJuly。TheyarnisJim’saltogether，andit’smightyinterestin’——
　　tomeanyhow。””I’msureitwillbetome，also，”declaredtheyounglady。”CaptainWarrenhastoldmeallaboutit，Mr。Pearson，andI’mveryeagertohearthenewportion。””There！”CaptainElishaslappedhisknee。”There，Jim！”heexclaimed，”youhearthat？Nowyou’veGOTtoreadit。Anchor’sapeak！Heaveaheadandgetunderway。”
　　So，becausehecouldnotwellrefuse，theauthorreluctantlybegantoread。And，asusual，hisnauticalfriendtointerruptandcomment。Carolinelistened，hereyestwinkling。Whenthereadingandtheargumentswereatanend，shedeclareditwasallsplendid；”Justlikebeingatseaone’sself，”shesaid。”IpositivelyrefusetopermitanotherinstallmenttobesubmittedunlessIam——
　　ondeck。That’stheproperphrase，isn’tit，Captain？””Aye，aye，ma’am！Jim，we’veshippedanewsecondmate，andshe’sgoin’tobewuthhersalt。YouhearME！”
　　Sheprovedtobeworthallofthat，atleastinPearson’sopinion。
　　Hiscallsandthereadingsanddiscussionsbecamemoreandmorefrequent。Eachofthetrioenjoyedthemgreatly，Carolinequiteasmuchastheothers。Herewassomethingnewandfresh，somethingtofurnisharealinterest。Thestoryadvancedrapidly，thecharacterofthenauticalheroshapeditselfbetterandbetter，andtheheroine，also，heretoforeasomewhatshadowyandvagueyoungwoman，begantoliveandbreathe。Shechangedsurprisingly，notonlyinmentalbutinphysicalcharacteristics。
　　CaptainElishawasfirsttonoticethelatterpeculiarity。”Say，Jim！”heinterrupted，oneafternoon，”whatwasthatyoujustreadaboutMary？Herhatblowin’offtoleewardandherbrownhairblowin’afterit？Orsomethin’ofthatsort？”
　　Carolinelaughedmerrily。Theauthorturnedtothepassagementioned。”Notexactly，Captain，”hereplied，smiling。”Isaidherhathadblownaway，andherbrowncurlstossedinthewind。What’swrongwiththat？Hatsdoblowawayinasou’wester；I’veseenthem。””Perhapshethinkssheshouldhavebeenmorecarefulinpinningiton，”suggestedthefemininememberoftheadvisoryboard。
　　CaptainElishashookhishead。”No，”heobservedcalmly，”butwhywasshewearin’thatkindofhair？She’sprettyyoungtouseaswitch，ain’tshe？””Switch？”repeated”Mary’s”creator，withsomeindignation。”Whatareyoutalkingabout？WhenIfirstdescribedher，Isaidthatherhairwasluxuriantandoneofherchiefbeauties。””That’safact！Soyoudid。Whatmadeherdyeit？””Dyeit？Whatdoyouthinksheis——achorusgirl？””IfIrememberrightshe’sapostmaster’sdaughter。Butwhyisshewearin’brownhair，ifitain’tneitherfalseordyed？Backinthethirdchapter’twasBLACK，likehereyes。”
　　Carolineburstintoanotherlaugh。Pearsonblushedtohisforehead。”Well，byGeorge！”headmitted，”you’reright。IbelieveIdidhaveitblack，atfirst。””Yousartindid！Iain’tgotanyobjectionstoeithercolor，onlyitoughttostayput，hadn’tit？Inatownofthesizeshe’slivin’in，agirlwithchangeablehairislikelytobekindofconspicuous。Itellyou！maybeitbleachedoutinthesun。Ho，ho！”
　　Thewritermadeanoteonthemarginofhismanuscriptanddeclaredthathisheroine’stressesandeyesshouldbemadetocorrespondatallstages。Theydid，buttheyremainedbrown。CaptainElishachuckledinwardly，butofferednofurthercomments。Caroline，whoseownhairandeyeswerebrown，didnotrefertothematteratall。
　　Sheandtheyoungmanbecamebetteracquaintedateachsucceeding”literaryclinic，”asthelattercalledthem。WhenRodgersWarrenfirstintroducedhimattheirformerhomehehadimpressedherfavorably，largelybecauseofherdesiretolikeanyonewhomherfatherfancied。Sheworshipedthedeadbroker，andhismemorytoherwassacred。Shewouldhaveforgivenanddidforgiveanywronghemighthavedoneher，evenhisbrother’sappointmentasguardian，thoughthatshecouldnotunderstand。UnlikeStephen，whofiercelyresentedthewholeaffairandsaidbitterthingsconcerninghisparent，shebelievedhehaddonewhatheconsideredright。HerfeelingagainstCaptainElishahadbeenbaseduponthelatter’sacceptanceofthatappointmentwhenheshouldhaverealizedhisunfitness。Andhislivingwiththemanddisgracingthemintheeyesoftheirfriendsbyhisuncouth，countryways，madeherblindtohisgoodqualities。TheMoriartymattertouchedherconscience，andshesawmoreclearly。Butshewasveryfarfromconsideringhimanequal，orotherthanwhatMrs。CorcoranDunntermedhim，an”encumbrance，”evenyet。Sheforcedherselftobekindandtolerantandgavehimmoreofhersociety，thoughthechurch-goingexperiencewasnotrepeated，nordidsheaccompanyhimonhiswalksorout-of-doorexcursions。
　　IfPearson’sintroductionshadbeenwhollyasafriendofherguardian，herfeelingtowardhimmighthavebeentingedwiththesamecondescensionoraversion，even。But，hallowedashewasbyassociationwithherfather，shewelcomedhimforthelatter’ssake。And，asshebecameinterestedinthenovelandfoundthathersuggestionsconcerningitwereconsideredvaluable，shelookedforwardtohisvisitsandwasdisappointedif，foranyreason，theyweredeferred。Withoutbeingawareofit，shebegantoliketheyoungauthor，notalonebecausehewroteentertaininglyandflatteredherbylisteningrespectfullytohercriticisms，orbecauseherfatherhadlikedhim，butforhimself。
　　CaptainElishawasmuchpleased。”Itoldyou，Jim！”hesaid。”She’sjustasgladtoseeyouasI
　　am。Nowdon’tyouseehowfoolishitwastostayaway’causeyouand’Bijehadaspat？Thinkofallthegoodtimeswe’dhavemissed！AndweneededafemaleaboardyourUncleJim’scraft，tohelpwith’Mary’andtherest。”
　　Hisfriendnodded。”Shehasbeenagreathelp，certainly，”heanswered。”ButIcan’thelpfeelingguiltyeverytimeIcomehere。
　　Itistoomuchlikeobtainingherfriendshipunderfalsepretenses。
　　Sheshouldknowthewholething，Ibelieve。””Sheshallknowit，whenIthinkit’stimeforherto。ButIwanthertoknowyoufirst。Thenshe’llbeabletojudgewithoutsomuchprejudice。ItoldyouI’dtaketheresponsibility。Youleavetheshipinmychargeforaspell。”
　　Inspiteofthisconfidentassertion，thecaptainalsofeltatrifleguilty。HerealizedthatselfishnesswasinvolvedinhiskeepingPearson’ssecretfromhisniece。Hewasthoroughlyenjoyinghimselfwiththesetwo，andhecouldnotbeartoriskthebreakingupwhichmightfollowdisclosure。
　　Oneevening，whilea”clinic”wasinprogressandthethreeweredeepinconsultation，EdwardsenteredtoannounceMrs。CorcoranDunnandMr。Malcolm。Thebutler’sgivingtheladyprecedenceinhisannouncingshowedthathe，too，realizedwhowasrankingofficerinthatfamily，eventhoughthecaptain’s”conundrum”hadpuzzledhim。Mrs。Dunnandhersonenteredathisheels。
　　Theladytookinthegroupbythetableataglance:Pearson，withthemanuscriptinhishands；CaptainElishaleaningbackinhischair，frowningattheinterruption；Carolinerisingtowelcometheguests，andcoloringslightlyasshedidso。AllthesedetailsMrs。Dunnnoted，madeanentryinhermentalmemorandum-book，andunderscoreditforfuturereference。
　　Ifshediscernedunpleasantpossibilitiesinthesituation，shedidnotallowthemtodisturbheroutwardserenity。ShekissedCarolineandcalledher”dearchild”asfondlyasusual，shookhandsgraciouslywithCaptainElisha，andbowedcondescendingrecognitionofPearson。”Andhowisthenovelcomingon？Dotellme！”shebegged。”I’msureweinterruptedareading。It’stoobadofus，really！ButMalcolminsisteduponcoming。Hehasbeenverybusyoflate——somedreadful’corner’orotherontheexchange——andhasneglectedhisfriends——orthinkshehas。ItoldhimIhadexplaineditalltoyou，Caroline，butheWOULDcometonight。Itisthefirstcallhehasmadeinweeks；soyouSEE！Butthere！hedoesn’tconsiderrunninginhereacall。”
　　Callornot，itspoiledtheeveningforatleasttwoofthecompany。Pearsonleftearly。CaptainElishaexcusedhimselfsoonafterandwenttohisroom，leavingtheDunnstochatwithCarolineforanhourormore。Malcolmjokedandwaslanguidandcynical。
　　Hismotheraskedafewcarefullyguardedquestions。”Quiteacleverperson，thisyoungauthorfriendofyoursseemstobe，Caroline，”sheobserved。”Almostbrilliant，really。””Heisn’tafriendofmine，exactly，”repliedthegirl。”HeandCaptainWarrenarefriendly，andfatherusedtoknowandlikehim，asIhavetoldyou。Thenovelisgreatfun，though！Thepeopleinitarecomingtoseemalmostrealtome。””Idaresay！Iwasagreatreadermyselfonce，beforemyhealth——myheart，youknow——begantotroubleme。Thedoctorsnowforbidmyreadinganythingtheleastbitexciting。Hasthis——er——Mr。Pearsonmeans？””Iknowverylittleofhim，personally，butIthinknot。HeusedtobeconnectedwiththePlanet，andwrotethingsaboutWallStreet。Thatwashowfathercametoknowhim。””Liveinanattic，doeshe？”inquiredMalcolm。”That’swhatallauthorsdo，isn’tit？Putupinatticsandsleeponpallets——
　　whatevertheyare——andeatcrusts，don’tthey？Jollylife——ifyoulikeit！Ipreferbuckingwheatcorners，myself。”
　　Mrs。Dunnlaughed，andCarolinejoinedher，thoughnotasheartily。”Howridiculousyouare，Malcolm！”exclaimedhismother。”Mr。
　　Pearsonisn’tthatkindofanauthor，I’msure。Butwheredoeshelive，Caroline？””SomewhereonWest18thStreet，Ibelieve。Hehasroomsthere，I
　　think。””Oh！Really？Andhowisthiswonderfulnovelofhisprogressing？
　　Whendoesheexpecttofavoruswithit？””Idon’tknow。Butitisprogressingverywellatpresent。HehaswrittenthreechapterssincelastWednesday。Hewasreadingthemtouswhenyoucame。””Indeed！SincelastWednesday？Howinteresting！”
　　Malcolmdidnotseemtofindthetopicinteresting，forhesmotheredayawn。Hismotherchangedthesubject。Ontheirwayhome，however，sheagainreferredtoit。”Youmustmakeitapointtoseehereveryday，”shedeclared。”Nomatterwhathappens，youmustdoit。””Oh，Lord！”groanedherson，”Ican’t。There’sthedeuceandallon’Changejustnow，andthebilliardtournament’sbegunattheClub。Mydaysandnightsarefullup。Onceaweekisallsheshouldexpect，Ithink。””Nomatterwhatyouthinkorwhatsheexpects，youmustdoasI
　　say。””Why？””BecauseIdon’tlikethelooksofthings。””Oh，rubbish！You’realwaysseeingbugaboos。UncleHayseedispacified，isn’the？I’vepaidtheMoriartycrowdoff。Beastlybigbillstheywere，too！””Humph！UncleHayseed，asyoucallhim，isanythingbutafool。
　　Butheisn’ttheparticulartroubleatpresent。HeandI
　　understandeachother，Ibelieve，andhewillbereasonable。But——
　　thereisthisPearson。Idon’tlikehiscallingsofrequently。”
　　Malcolmlaughedinhugescorn。”Pearson！”hesneered。”Why，he’snothingbutapenny-a-liner，withoutthepenny。Surelyyou’renotafraidCarolinewilltakeafancytohim。Sheisn’tanidiot。””She’sayounggirl，andmoreromanticthanIwishshewas。Atheragegirlsdosillythings，sometimes。HecalledonWednesday——youheardhersayso——andwasthereagainto-night。Idon’tlikeit，I
　　tellyou。””Heruncleisresponsiblefor——””Itismorethanthat。Sheknewhimlongbeforesheknewheruncleexisted。Herfatherintroducedhim——herFATHER。Andtohermind，whateverherfatherdidwasright。””Witnesshisbrilliantselectionofanexecutor。Oh，Mater，youwearyme！IusedtoknowthisPearsonwhenhewasareporterdowntown，and……Humph！””Whatisit？””Why，nothing，Iguess。ItseemedasifIrememberWarrenandPearsoninsomesortofmix-up。Some……Humph！Iwonder。”
　　Hewassilent，thinking。Hismotherpressedhisarmexcitedly。”IfyourememberanythingthatoccurredbetweenRodgersWarrenandthisman，anythingtothisPearson’sdisadvantage，itmaypayustoinvestigate。Whatwasit？””Idon’tknow。ButitseemedasifIrememberedWarren’s……orafriendofhistellingme……sayingsomething……butitcouldn’tbeofimportance，becauseCarolinedoesn’tknowit。””I’mnotsosurethatitmaynotbeimportant。And，ifyourecall，onthatdaywhenwefirstmethimatCaroline’s，sheseemedhurtbecausehehadnotvisitedthemsinceherfatherdied。PerhapsthereWASareason。Atanyrate，Ishouldlookintothematter。””Allright，Mater，justasyousay。ReallyyououghttojoinaDon’tWorryClub。””Onememberinthefamilyisquitesufficient。AndIexpectyoutodevoteyourselftoCarolinefromnowon。Thatgirlislonely，andwhenyougetthecombinationofalonelyromanticyounggirlandagood-lookingandinterestingyoungfellow，eventhoughheisaspoorasachurchmouse，ANYTHINGmayhappen。AddtothattheinfluenceofanunpracticalbutsharpoldYankeerelativeandguardian——thenthesituationispositivelydangerous。”
　　CHAPTERXIII
　　Animportanteventwasabouttotakeplace。Atleast，itseemedimportanttoCaptainElisha，althoughthepersonmostintimatelyconcernedappearedtohaveforgottenitentirely。Heventuredtoremindherofit。”Caroline，”hesaid，”Sundayisyourbirthday，ain’tit？”
　　Hisniecelookedathiminsurprise。”Yes，”sheanswered，”itis。
　　Howdidyouknow？””Why，Iremembered，that’sall。Graves，thelawyerman，toldmehowoldyouandSteviewere，fusttimeImethim。Andhispartner，Mr。Sylvester，gavemethedateonedaywhenhewasgoin’overyourpa’swill。You’llbetwentyyearsoldSunday，won’tyou？””Yes。”
　　Itwaslateintheafternoon，andshehadbeenoutsinceteno’clockshoppingwithMrs。Dunn，lunchingdowntownwiththelatterandMalcolm，andmotoringforanhourortwo。Theweatherfortheseasonwasmildandsunny，andthecrispairhadbrightenedhercheeks，hereyessparkled，herfurcoatandcapwereverybecoming，andCaptainElishainspectedheradmiringlybeforemakinganotherremark。”My！My！”heexclaimed，afteraninstant’spause。”Twentyyearsold！Thinkofit！’Bije’sgirl’sayoungwomannow，ain’tshe？I
　　cal’latehewasproudofyou，too。Heoughttohavebeen。I
　　presumelikelyHEdidn’tforgetyourbirthday。”
　　Herosetohelpherwiththeheavycoat。Ashelifteditfromhershoulders，hebentforwardandcaughtaglimpseofherface。”There！there！”hesaid，hastily。”Don’tfeelbad，dearie。I
　　didn’tmeantohurtyourfeelin’s。Excuseme；Iwasthinkin’outloud，sortof。”
　　Shedidnotansweratonce，butturnedawaytoremovehercap。
　　Thensheanswered，withoutlookingathim。”Heneverforgotthem，”shesaid。”Coursehedidn’t。Well，youseeIdidn’tforget，either。”
　　Itwasanunfortunateremark，inasmuchasitdrew，inhermind，acomparisonbetweenherhandsome，dignifiedfatherandhisrude，unculturedbrother。Thecontrastwaseverpresentinherthoughts，andshedidnotneedtoberemindedofit。Shemadenoreply。”Iwasthinkin’，”continuedthecaptain，consciousofhavingmadeamistake，”thatmaybewemightcelebratesomehow，inaquietway。””No。Iamnotinthemoodfor——celebrations。””Oh，Ididn’tmeanfireworksandthetownband。Ijustthought——””Pleasedon’t。Irememberotherbirthdaystoowell。”Theyhadbeengreatoccasions，thosebirthdaysofhers，eversinceshewasalittlegirl。Ontheeighteenthshemadeherdebutinsociety，andthegownsheworeonthatmemorableeveningwaslaidawayupstairs，acherishedmemento，tobekeptaslongasshelived。EachyearRodgersWarrentookinfinitepainstopleaseandsurprisehisidolizeddaughter。Shecouldnotbeartothinkofanotherbirthday，nowthathehadbeentakenfromher。
　　Herguardianpulledhisbeard。”Well，”heobservedruefully，”thenmyweakhead’sputmyfootinitagain，asthefellersaid。IfI
　　ain’tcarefulI’llbelikepoorcrackedPhilanderBaker，wholiveswithhissisteroveratDenboroCentre。ThedoctortoldPhilanderhewasthreatenedwithsoftenin’ofthebrain，andthesisterthankedhimforthecompliment。Yousee，Caroline，IwroteonmyownhookandaskedStevietocomehomeSaturdayandstaytillMonday。Ikindofthoughtyou’dliketohavehimhere。””Oh，IshouldlikeTHAT！Butwillhecome？Hashewrittenyou？””Hey？Yes，Ical’latehe’llbeondeck。He’s——er——yes，he’swrittenme。”
　　Hesmiledasheanswered。Asamatteroffact，thecorrespondencebetweenStephenandhimselfhadbeenlengthyandvoluminousonthepartoftheformer，andbriefandbusiness-likeonhisown。Theboy，onhisreturntocollege，hadfound”conditions”awaitinghim，andtheamountofhardworkinvolvedintheirclearancewasnotatalltohistaste。Hewrotehisguardianbeforethefirstweekwasover，assertingthatthewholebusinesswasfoolishnessandawasteoftime。Heshouldcomehomeatonce，hesaid，andhenotifiedthecaptainthatsuchwashisintention。CaptainElisharepliedwithpromptnessanddecision。Ifhecamehomehewouldbesentback，thatwasall。”Irealizeyou’vegotajobaheadofyou，Son，”
　　wrotethecaptain，”butyoucandoit，ifyouwill。Factis，I
　　guessyou’vegotto。Sosailinandshowuswhatyou’remadeof。”
　　Stephen’sanswerwasafivepagedeclarationofindependence。Herefusedtobebulliedbyanylivingman。HehadmadearrangementstocometoNewYorkonthefollowingMonday，andhewascoming。Astobeingsentback，hewishedhisuncletounderstandthatitwasonethingtoorderandanothertoenforceobedience。Towhichhereceivedthefollowingnote:”Ican’tstopyoufromcoming，Steve，exceptbygoingtoNewHavenandholdingyoubymainstrength。ThatIdon’tproposetodo，fortworeasons:first，thatitistoomuchtrouble，andsecondthatitain’tnecessary。Youcancomehomeonceinawhiletoseeyoursister，butyoumustn’tdoittillIsaytheword。Ifyoudo，I
　　shalltakethecarfareoutofyourallowance，likewiseboardwhileyouarehere，andstopthatallowanceforamonthasasortoffineformutiny。Soyoubetterthinkitoveraspell。And，ifIwasyou，Iwouldn’twriteCarolinethatIwascoming，orthinkingofcoming，tillIhadmymindmadeup。Shebelievesyouareworkinghardatyourlessons。Ishouldn’tdisappointher，especiallyasitwouldn’tbeanyuse。”Youraffectionateuncle，”ELISHAWARREN。”
　　TheresultofallthiswasthatStephen，whosefinanceswerealreadyinaprecariouscondition，didthinkitoveranddecidednottotaketherisk。Also，consciousthathissistersidedwiththeirguardiantotheextentofbelievingtheuniversitythebestplaceforhimatpresent，hetoreupthelongletterofgrievancewhichhehadwrittenher，and，inthatwhichtookitsplace，mentionedmerelythathewas”grindinglikeblazes，”andtheonlysatisfactionhegotfromitwashisremovalfromthesocietyofthe”oldtyrantfromCapeCod。”
　　Heacceptedthetyrant’sinvitationtoreturnfortheweek-endandhissister’sbirthdaywithnohesitationwhatever；andhisletterofacceptancewassopoliticastobealmosthumble。
　　HearrivedonanearlytrainSaturdaymorning。Carolinemethimatthestation，andtheDunns’carconveyedthemtothelatter’sresidence，wheretheyweretospendtheday。TheDunnsandCarolinehadbeentogetheralmostconstantlysincetheeveningwhenMalcolmandhismotherinterruptedthereadingofthenovel。Theformer，whileprofessingtobeharassedbybusinesscares，sacrificedthemtotheextentofdevotingatleastapartofeachtwenty-fourhourstotheyounglady’ssociety。Shewasrarelyallowedtobealonewithheruncle，acircumstancewhichtroubledhermuchlessthanitdidhim。Hemissedtheeveningswhichhehadenjoyedsomuch，andthenextconsultationovertheadventuresofPearson’s”UncleJim”
　　andhis”Mary”seemedflatanduninterestingwithoutcriticismandadvice。
　　Theauthorhimselfnoticedthedifference。”Rot！”heexclaimed，throwingthemanuscriptasideindisgust。”It’srot，isn’tit！IfIcan’tturnoutbetterstuffthanthat，I’dbetterquit。AndIthoughtitwasprettydecent，too，untilto-night。”
　　CaptainElishashookhishead。”Itdon’tseemquitesoshipshape，somehow，”headmitted，”butIguesslikelyit’s’causemyhead’sfullofotherthingsjustnow。I’mpuzzled’mosttodeathtoknowwhattogetforCaroline’sbirthday。Iwanttogethersomethin’
　　she’lllike，andshe’sgotprettynigheverythingunderthesun。
　　Say，Jim，you’vebeenworkin’toohard，yourself。Whydon’tyoutaketo-morrowoffandcruisearoundthestoreshelpin’mepickoutapresent。Comeahead——do！”
　　Theyspentthenextafternooninthat”cruise，”visitingdepartmentstores，jewelers，andartshopsinnumerable。CaptainElishawashardtoplease，andhiscommentscharacteristic。”Iguessyou’reright，Jim，”hesaid，”there’snouselookin’atpictures。Letalonethatthewallsaresocoveredwith’emnowaflycan’tscarcelylightwithoutsteppin’onsomekindofscenery——
　　letalonethat，myjudgmentonpicturesain’tanygood。Ical’latethat’sconsideredprettyfine，ain’tit？”pointingtoapaintinginthegallerywheretheythenwere。”Yes，”repliedthedealer，muchamused。”Thatisagoodspecimenofthemodernimpressionistschool。””Humph！Cookin’school，Ishouldn’twonder。I’dcallitaportraitofaplateofscrambledeggs，if’twa’n’tforthatgreenthingthat’seitheracoworachurchintheoffin’。Outofsoundin’sagain，Iam！ButIknewshelikedpictures，andso……
　　However，let’ssetsailforajewelrystore。”
　　Thesixthshopofthisvarietywhichtheyvisitedhappenedtobeoneofthelargestandmostfashionableinthecity。Herethecaptain’sfancywastakenbyagoldchainfortheneck，setwithtinyemeralds。”That’spretty——sortof——ain’tit，Jim？”heasked。”Yes，”repliedhiscompanion，withemphasis，”itis。AndIthinkyou’llfinditisexpensive，also。””Thatso？Howmuch？”turningtothesalesman。
　　Thelattergavethepriceofthechain。CaptainElishawhistled。”Whew！Jerushy！”heexclaimed。”Anditwouldn’tmuchmorethangoaroundmywrist，atthat。Allthesamesize，arethey？””No。Somearelonger。Thelongeronesarehigherpriced，ofcourse。””Sartin！They’reforfleshyfolks，Is’pose。Mrs。ThophKenneydownhome，she’dhavetosplicethreeof’emtogethertomaketheroundtrip。Thoph’salwaysscaredhewon’tgethismoney’swuthinatrade，buthecouldn’tkickwhenhegother。Togivetheministeradollarandwalkoffwithtwohundredandeightypoundsofwifeisshowin’somebusinesssagacity，hey？Todohimjustice，IwillsaythatHEseemstobesatisfied；she’stheonethatdoesthecomplainin’。Iguessthisisthemostexpensivecounterinthestore，ain’tit，Mister？”
　　Theclerklaughed。”No，indeed，”hesaid。”Theseareallmoderatepricedgoods。Iwonder，”turningtoPearson，”ifyourfriendwouldn’tliketoseesomeofourchoicepieces。Itisaquietdayhere，andIshallbegladtoshowthem。”
　　HeledthewaytoasetofshowcasesnearthedoorontheFifthAvenueside。TherebeforeCaptainElisha’sdazzledeyesweredisplayeddiamondnecklacesandaigrettes，tiarasandbrooches，thefiguresontheirpricetagsrunninghighintothethousands。
　　Pearsonandthegood-naturedclerkenjoyedthemselveshugely。”Jim，”saidthecaptainafteralittleofthis，”isthereapoliceofficerlookin’thisway？”
　　Pearsonlaughed。”Iguessnot，”heanswered。”Why？Thetemptationisn’tgettingtoomuchforyourhonesty，isit？””No，”withasigh，”butI’mcarryin’afortydollarwatchandwearin’aringthatcostfifteen。IthoughttheywassomepunkinstillIbeguntolookatthisstuff。Nowtheymakemefeelsomeanandpoverty-struckthatIexpecttobetookupforatrampanyminute。Mister，”totheclerk，”yourunrightalongandwrapupthatchainIwaslookin’at。Hurry！orI’llbeashamedtocarryanythingsocheap。””Thinkshe’lllikeit，doyou，Jim？”heasked，whentheywereoncemoreoutofdoorswiththepurchaseinhisinsidepocket。”Sheought，certainly，”repliedPearson。”It’sabeautifulthing。””Yes。Well，yousee，”apologetically，”Iwantedtogivehersomethin’prettygood。’Bijealwaysdid，andIdidn’twanttofalltoofurbehind。But，”withachuckle，”youneedn’tmentionthepricetoanybody。IfAbbie——mysecondcousinkeepin’houseforme，sheis——ifAbbieheardofitshe’dbeforputtin’meinanasylum。
　　Abbie’sgotahairbreastpinandatortoiseshellcomb，butsheonlywears’emtotheCongregationalistmeetin’-house，whereshe’sreasonablysurethereain’tlikelytobeanysneak-thieves。ShewenttoaUnitariansociableonce，butshecarried’eminabaginsideherdress。”
　　CaptainElishaplannedtosurprisehisniecewiththegiftatbreakfastonthemorningofherbirthday，but，afterreflection，decidedtopostponethepresentationuntildinnertime。TheinevitableDunnshadtakenuponthemselvesthedutyofcaringforthegirlandherbrotherduringthemajorpartoftheday。Theyellowcarappearedatthedooratteno’clockandborethetwoaway。Carolineassuredherguardian，however，thattheywouldreturninseasonfortheeveningmeal。
　　Thecaptainspentlonelybutbusyhoursuntildinnertimecame。Hehaddonesomeschemingonhisownhookand，afteralongargumentwiththecook，re-enforcedbyasmallsumincash，hadprevaileduponthathaughtydomestictofashionabirthdaycakeofimposingexteriorandindigestiblemake-up。Superintendingtheicingofthismasterpieceoccupiedsometime。HethenworriedEdwardsintoarespectfulbutstubbornfurybysuggestingnoveltiesinthewayoftablearrangement。Anotherbestowalofsmallchangequelledthedisturbance。Thencame，bymessenger，adozenAmericanBeautyroseswithMr。Pearson’scardattached。Thesethecaptaindecidedshouldbeplacedinthecenterofthefestiveboard。Asacenterpiecehadbeenpreviouslyprovided，therewasmoreargument。Thecooktookthebutler’ssideinthedebate，andthepairyieldedonlywhenCaptainElishaagaindivedintohispocket。”ButIwarnyou，allhands，”heobserved，”thatthisisthelasttime。Myrightfist’sgotacrampinitthisminute，andyoucouldn’topenitagainwithacoldchisel。”
　　Atlast，however，everythingwasasitshouldbe，andhesatdowninthelibrarytoawaitthecomingoftheyoungpeople。Thegoldchaininitshandsomeleathercase，thelatterenclosedinthejeweler’sbox，wascarefullylaidbesideCaroline’splaceatthetable。Thedinnerwasready，thecake，candlesandall——thecaptainhadinsistedupontwentycandles——wasready，also。Therewasnothingtodobutwait——andhewaited。
　　Six-thirtywastheusualdinnerhour。Itpassed。Seveno’clockstruck，theneight，andstillCaptainElishasataloneinthelibrary。Thecooksentwordthatthedinnerwasruined。Edwardsrespectfullyasked，”WhatshallIdo，sir？”twice，thesecondtimebeingsentflyingwithanorderto”Gofor’ardandkeepyourhatchesclosed！”Thenauticalphraseologywaslostuponthebutler，butthetoneandmannerofdeliverywerequiteunderstandable。
　　SeveraltimesthecaptainrosefromhischairtotelephonetheDunnhouseandaskthereasonfordelay。Eachtimehedecidednottodoso。Nodoubtthereweregoodreasons；Carolineandherbrotherhadbeendetained；perhapstheautomobilehadbrokendown——thethingswerealwaysbreakingdownjustatthemostinconvenienttimes；
　　perhaps……Well，atanyrate，hewouldnot’phonejustyet；hewouldwaitalittlelonger。
　　Atlastthebellrang。CaptainElishasprangup，smiling，hisimpatienceandworryforgotten，and，pushingthebutleraside，hurriedtoopenthedoorhimself。Hedidsoandfaced，nothisnieceandnephew，butPearson。