And I was prepared to begin again this morning."
"So? That's why you're on deck so early? Didn't sleep here, did you?
Well, I cal'late I know what you want to talk about. You ain't the only
one that reads the newspapers."
"The newspapers? Great heavens! it isn't in the newspapers, is it? It
can't be!"
He seemed much perturbed. Captain Elisha looked puzzled.
"Course it is," he said. "But I heard it afore I saw it. Perhaps you
think I take it pretty easy. Maybe I act as if I did. But you expected
it, and so did I, so we ain't exactly surprised. And," seriously, "I
realize that it's no joke as well as you do. But we've got a year to
fight in, and now we must plan the campaign. I did cal'late to see
Caroline this mornin'. Then, if I heard from her own lips that 'twas
actually so, I didn't know's I wouldn't drop in and give Sister
Corcoran-Queen-Victoria-Dunn a few plain facts about it not bein' a
healthy investment to hurry matters. You're wantin' to see me headed me
off, and I come here instead."
The lawyer looked at him in astonishment.
"See here, Captain Warren," he demanded, "what do you imagine I asked
you to come here for?"
"Why, to talk about that miserable engagement, sartin. Poor girl! I've
been awake ha'f the night thinkin' of the mess she's been led into.
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