“Who is it, Debbs?” called a voice from the top of the stair.
“Captain Pott, sir. I thought you was to see no one to-night, sir.”
“That’s all right. Send him right up to my room.”
The Elder’s den was across the hall from his daughter’s room, in the most quiet part of the house.
“Right in here, Josiah. We shall be more private here than down-stairs.”
The Captain entered, and took the chair indicated by the Elder.
“I was very busy, and told Debbs I was not to be disturbed, but I recognized your voice, and––er––wanted to see you. It has 228 been quite a long while since we have had a friendly chat, Josiah. I wish you would come more often. I get very lonesome in this big place. Have a cigar? No? I shall, if you don’t mind.”
“We ain’t been none too neighborly, as you might say.”
“Why don’t you come up once in a while?”
“Cal’late for the same reason you don’t get over to the other end of the road. For one thing, I’m too busy paying off debts.”