My nephew and niece don't
seem to think so, but I do."
"So you see, Captain, why I stopped calling on the Warrens, and why I
did not accept Miss Warren's invitation."
"I see... I see... And yet I don't know. 'Bije may have took to you for
business reasons, but the children didn't. They liked you for yourself.
Caroline as much as said so. And their father never told 'em a word
about the row, neither. Of course you couldn't have called when he was
alive, but he's gone, and I'm--well, I'm sort of temporary skipper there
now. And _I_ want you to come."
"But if Miss Warren did know? She should know, I think."
"I ain't sure that she should. I guess there's consider'ble in her pa's
life she ain't acquainted with. And she's as straight and honest and
upright as a schooner's fo'mast. You did nothin' to be 'shamed of. It's
the other way 'round, 'cordin' to my notion. But leave her out of
it now. I've sacrificed some few things to take the job I've got at
present, but I can't afford to sacrifice my friends. I count on you as a
friend, and I want you to come and see ME. Will you?"
"I don't know, Captain Warren. I must think it over a while, I guess."
"All right--think. But the invitation stands--MY invitation. And, if you
want to shift responsibility, shift it on to me.
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