We learned that you have lied--yes, lied--and--"
"Steady, Caroline! be careful. I wouldn't say what I might be sorry for
later."
"Sorry! Captain Warren, you spoke of my misjudging you. I thought I had,
and I was sorry. To-day I learned that your attitude in that affair was
a lie like the rest. YOU did not pay for Mr. Moriarty's accident. Mr.
Dunn's money paid those bills. And you allowed the family--and me--to
thank YOU for your generosity. Oh, I'm ashamed to be near you!"
"There! There! Caroline, be still. I--"
"I shall not be still. I have been still altogether too long. You are
our guardian. We can't help that, I suppose. Father asked you to be
that, for some reason; but did he ask you to LIVE here where you are
not wanted? To shame us before our friends, ladies and gentlemen so far
above you in every way? And to try to poison our minds against them and
sneer at them when they are kind to us and even try to be kind to
you? No, he did not! Oh, I'm sick of it all! your deceit and your
hypocritical speeches and your pretended love for us. LOVE! Oh, if I
could say something that would make you understand how thoroughly we
despise you, and how your presence, ever since you forced it upon Steve
and me, has disgraced us! If I only could! I--I--"
She had been near to tears ever since Mrs.
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