His bed's been slept in, but he's gone."
"Gone? And you haven't seen him?"
"No, miss. I've been up and about since half past seven, and I can't
understand where he could have got to."
The door of the hall opened and shut. Edwards darted from the library.
A moment afterwards Captain Elisha strolled in. He was wearing his
overcoat, and his hat was in his hand.
"Good mornin', Caroline," he hailed, in his big voice. "Surprised to see
me, are you? Ho! ho! So was the Commodore. He couldn't understand how
I got in without ringin'. Well, you see, I'm used to turnin' out pretty
early, and when it got to be most seven o'clock, I couldn't lay to bed
any longer, so I got up, dressed, and went for a walk. I fixed the door
latch so's I could come in quiet. You haven't waited breakfast for me, I
hope."
"No; it is ready now, however."
"Ready now," the captain looked at his watch. "Yes, I should think so.
It's way into the forenoon. You HAVE waited for me, haven't you? I'm
awfully sorry."
"No, we have not waited. Our breakfast hour is nine. Pardon me for
neglecting to tell you that last evening."
"Oh, that's all right. Now you trot right out and eat. I've had mine."
"Had your breakfast?"
"Yes, indeed. When I'm home, Abbie and I usually eat about seven, so I
get sort of sharp-set if I wait after that.
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