They were sure you must be
a perfect ogre, Captain. I had to use all my eloquence to convince them
they would not be devoured alive. But now--what a change! Why, already
Caroline accepts you as--well, almost like an old friend, like myself.
In the last few days this change in her attitude is quite marked. What
HAVE you done? Are you a wizard? Do tell me!"
This appeal, delivered with eloquence and most engaging play of brow and
eye, should have been irresistible. Unfortunately the captain did not
appear to have heard it. Leaning forward, his hands clasped between his
knees, he was gazing into the fire. And when he spoke, it was as if he
were thinking aloud.
"I s'pose 'tis a sort of disease, this duty business," he mused. "And
most diseases ain't cheerful visitations. Still a feller ought not to
growl about it in public. I always did hate for a man to be goin' about
forever complainin' of his sufferin's--whether they was from duty or
rheumatiz."
Mrs. Dunn's lips snapped shut. She pressed them together impatiently.
Evidently her questions, and their diplomatic prelude, had been
unheard and wasted. However, she did not intend to be sidetracked or
discouraged.
"One should not prate of one's duty, of course," she agreed. "Not that
you do--far from it.
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