They're poor folks,
of course, and they need money to help 'em through the doctorin' and
nursin' and while the old man's out of work. Caroline was for givin' it
to 'em right off, she's a good-hearted girl; but I said--that is, I kind
of coaxed her out of it. I thought I'd ask some questions first."
"So you came to me to ask them?" Malcolm smiled contentedly. Evidently
the cares and complications of guardianship were already proving too
intricate for the unsophisticated countryman. He wished advice, and
had come to him for it, possibly at Caroline's suggestion. Affairs
were shaping themselves well. Here was an opportunity to act the
disinterested friend, as per maternal instructions.
"So you wanted to ask questions, did you, Captain?" he repeated. "Well,
fire away. Anything I can do to help you or Caroline will be a pleasure,
of course. Smoke?"
He offered the cigarette case. The captain eyed it dubiously and shook
his head.
"No," he said; "no, thank you, I commenced smokin' at the butt end,
I guess. Begun with a pipe, and them things would seem sort of
kindergarten, I'm afraid. No offense meant, you understand. It's all
accordin' to what you've been used to. Well, about the questions. Here's
the first one: Don't it seem to you that the right one to pay for the
doctorin' and nursin' and such of Mr.
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