“And let me present you to Mrs. Corcoran Dunn,” went on the girl. “Mr. Pearson used to know father well.”
Mrs. Dunn inspected the visitor through her lorgnette, and condescended to admit that she was “delighted.”
“I’m very glad you called,” continued Caroline. “We were just in time, weren’t we? Do sit down. And if you will wait a minute until we remove our wraps—Steve ring for Edwards, please.”
“I’m afraid I can’t wait, Miss Warren. I dropped in to see your uncle, at his invitation, and, as a matter of fact, I didn’t know—”
“To see our uncle!” interrupted Stephen, in amazement. “Who?”
“Your uncle, Captain Warren here,” explained Pearson, surprised in his turn. “He and I made each other’s acquaintance yesterday, and he asked me to call.”
“You—you called to see him?” repeated Stephen. “Why, what in the world—?”
“I took the liberty of askin’ him, Caroline,” observed Captain Elisha quietly, and ignoring the last speaker. “I didn’t know you knew him, and I used to sail along with his uncle, so he seemed almost like own folks.”
“Oh!” Caroline’s manner changed. “I presume it was a business call,” she said slowly. “I beg pardon for interrupting. We had not seen you since father’s death, Mr. Pearson, and I assumed that you had called upon my brother and me. Excuse me. Mrs. Dunn, we will go into the drawing-room.”
She led the way toward the apartment. Captain Elisha was about to speak. Pearson, however, explained for him.