"
"No. Steve and I were quite friendly. I'm sorry to cut my visit short,
but it is late and I MUST go."
He was moving toward the door. Captain Elisha looked at him intently.
"Well, if you must," he said. "But I hope you'll come again soon. Will
you?"
"I hope I may. I give you my word, Captain, that I appreciate your
invitation, and I do want to know you better."
"Same here. I don't often take sudden fancies, Jim, but I knew your
uncle, and I'd bet consider'ble on any member of his family. And I WAS
kind of interested in that novel of yours. You haven't said you'd come
again. Will you?"
Pearson was much embarrassed.
"I should like to come, immensely," he said, with an earnestness
unmistakable; "but--but, to be honest, Captain Warren, there is a
reason, one which I may tell you sometime, but can't now--neither Miss
Warren nor her brother have any part in it--which makes me reluctant to
visit you here. Won't you come and see me at the boarding house? Here's
the address. WILL you come?"
"Sartin! I figured on doin' it, if you gave me the chance."
"Thank you, you'll be welcome. Of course it is ONLY a boarding house,
and not a very good one. My own room is--well, different from this."
"Yup. Maybe that's why I expect to feel at home in it.
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