"Yes," put in his wife, "we used to live at Bayonne, New Jersey. We
had such a pretty house there, that is, half a house; you see it was a
double one, and--"
"Maria," her husband waved his hand, "why trouble our friends with
unnecessary details."
"But it WAS a pretty house, 'C.,' dear," with a pathetic little sigh.
"I've missed it a great deal since, Miss Warren. 'C.' had a joke about
it--he's such a joker! He used to call it 'Gad's Hill, Junior.'"
"Named after some of David B.'s folks?" asked Captain Elisha innocently.
The answer, delivered by Mr. Dickens, was condescending and explanatory.
Caroline laughed, actually laughed aloud, when the visit was over. Her
uncle was immensely pleased.
"Hooray!" he cried. "I'll invite 'em up to stay a week. That's the fust
time I've heard you laugh for I don't know when."
She laughed again. "I can't help it," she said; "they are so funny."
The captain chuckled. "Yes," he said, "and they don't know it. I
cal'late a person's skull has got room for just about so much in it and
no more. Cornelius Charles's head is so jammed with self-satisfaction
that his sense of humor was crowded out of door long ago."
One boarder at Mrs. Hepton's did not call, nor did Captain Elisha allude
to him.
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