"Set down, do."
The girl seated herself in a rocker, and looked at him for a moment
without speaking. She seemed to have something on her mind, and not to
know exactly how to express it.
"Captain Warren," she began, "I--I came to ask a favor. I am obliged
to ask it, because you are our--" she almost choked over the hated
word--"our guardian, and I can no longer act on my own responsibility. I
wish to ask you for some money."
Captain Elisha nodded gravely.
"I see" he said. "Well, Caroline, I don't believe you'll find me very
close-fisted. I think I told you and Steve that you was to do just as
you'd been in the habit of doin'. Of course I AM your guardian now, and
I shall be held responsible for whatever expense comes to the estate. It
is quite a responsibility, and I so understand it. As I said to you when
I told you I'd decided to take the job on trial, WHILE I have it it'll
be my pride to see that you or your brother don't lose anything. I
intend, if the Almighty spares me so long and I keep on with the trust,
to turn over, when my term's out, at least as much to you and Steve as
your father left. That's all. Excuse me for mentioning it again. Now,
how much do you want? Is your reg'lar allowance too small? Remember,
I don't know much about such things here in New York, and you must be
frank and aboveboard and tell me if you have any complaints.
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