The Dunns
looked at each other.
"Thank you, Mr. Sylvester," said the captain, quietly. "I'll see you
again in a few moments."
The lawyer bowed and left the room, evidently glad to escape. Captain
Elisha turned to Mrs. Dunn.
"And now, ma'am," he observed, "that part of the business is over. The
next part's even more in the family, so I thought we didn't need legal
advice. You see just how matters stand. My niece is a poor girl. She
needs somebody to support her and look out for her. She's got that
somebody, we're all thankful to say. She's engaged to Mr. Malcolm here.
And, as you're his ma, Mrs. Dunn, and I'm Caroline's guardian, us old
folks'll take our affairs in hand; they needn't listen, if they don't
want to. I understand from Steve that Malcolm's been mighty anxious to
have the weddin' day hurried along. I can't say as I blame him. And _I_
think the sooner they're married the better. Now, how soon can we make
it, Mrs. Dunn?"
This unexpected and matter-of-fact query was variously received. Mrs.
Dunn frowned and flushed. Malcolm frowned, also. Steve nodded emphatic
approval. As for Caroline, she gazed at her guardian in horrified
amazement.
"Why!" she cried. "You--you--What do you mean by such--"
"Don't be an idiot, Caro!" cut in her brother.
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