.. I don't understand."
"Yes, yes!" eagerly; "your pa's seat. I've meant it for Steve. There's
been chances enough to sell it, but I wouldn't do that. 'Twas for him,
Caroline; and he's goin' to have it."
"But I don't see how... Why, I thought--"
The door of the dining room opened. Annie appeared on the threshold.
"Dinner is served," she announced.
"Be right there, Annie. Now you see that you ain't got to worry about
Steve, don't you, Caroline?"
His niece did not answer. By the light from the doorway he saw that she
was gazing at him with a strange expression. She looked as if she was
about to ask another question. He waited, but she did not ask it.
"Well," he said, rising, "we won't talk any more just now. Annie's
soup's gettin' cold, and she'll be in our wool if we don't have dinner.
Afterwards we can have another session. Come, Caroline."
She also rose, but hesitated. "Uncle Elisha," she said, "will you excuse
me if I don't talk any more to-night? And, if you don't mind, I won't
dine with you. I'm not hungry and--and my head aches. I'll go to my
room, I think."
"Yes, yes," he said, hastily, "of course. I'm afraid I've talked too
much as 'tis. You go up and lie down, and Annie can fetch you some toast
and tea or somethin' by and by.
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