Stephen put his arm about her waist. “It’s all right, Sis,” he said soothingly. “Don’t cry before him! I guess,” with a glance at his uncle, “you’ve said enough to make even him understand—at last.”
Captain Elisha looked gravely at the pair. “I guess you have,” he said slowly. “I guess you have, Caroline. Anyhow, I can’t think offhand of anything you’ve left out. I could explain some things, but what’s the use? And,” with a sigh, “you may be right in a way. Perhaps I shouldn’t have come here to live. If you’d only told me plain afore just how you felt, I’d—maybe I’d—but there! I didn’t know—I didn’t know. You see, I thought.... However, I guess that part of your troubles is over. But,” he added, firmly, “wherever I am, or wherever I go, you must understand that I’m your guardian, just the same. I considered a long spell afore I took the place, and I never abandoned a ship yet, once I took command of her. And I’ll stick to this one! Yes, sir! I’ll stick to it in spite of the devil—or the Dunns, either. Till you and your brother are of age I’m goin’ to look out for you and your interests and your money; and nothin’ nor nobody shall stop me. As for forcin’ my company on you, though, that well, that’s different. I cal’late you won’t have to worry any more. Good night.”
He thrust his hands into his pockets and walked slowly from the library.
CHAPTER XIV
Stephen, the “man of the family,” was the only member of the household, servants excepted, who slept soundly that night. Conscious of having done his duty in the affair with Pearson and his guardian, and somewhat fatigued by the disagreeable task of soothing his hysterical sister, he was slumbering peacefully at nine the next morning when awakened by a series of raps on his bedroom door.
“Ah! What? Well, what is it?” he demanded, testily opening his eyes. “Edwards, is that you? What the devil do you mean by making such a row?”
The voice which answered was not the butler’s, but Caroline’s.
“Steve! Oh, Steve!” she cried. “Do get up and come out! Come, quick!”