But really I don't see how. With all the whirl and the crowds
and the glorious excitement. The feeling that one is at the very heart,
the center of everything!"
"Yes. If you belong to the machinery, I s'pose it's all right. But
if you've been leanin' over the rail, lookin' on, and get pushed in
unexpected, maybe you don't care so much about bein' nigh the center."
"Then why stay there? Why not get out?"
"If you're caught in the wheels, gettin' out's somethin' of a job."
"But, as I understand it, Captain Warren--I may be misinformed, for, of
course, I haven't been unduly curious concerning your family affairs--as
_I_ understand it, you were not obliged to remain among the--among
the wheels, as you call them. You could have gotten out quite easily,
couldn't you?"
"I presume likely I could. But, you see, ma'am, I had a feelin' that I'd
ought to stay."
Mrs. Dunn laughed lightly. "Ah me!" she exclaimed; "you felt it your
duty, I suppose. Oh, you New England Puritans!"
She shook her head in playful mockery. Then she added, "But, at all
events, it cannot be so very disagreeable--now. I have no doubt it
was--well, not comfortable for you at first. Steve and Caroline were
quite impossible--really quite furious. Your sudden appearance in the
capacity of guardian was too much for them.
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