“Course it is,” he said. “But I heard it afore I saw it. Perhaps you think I take it pretty easy. Maybe I act as if I did. But you expected it, and so did I, so we ain’t exactly surprised. And,” seriously, “I realize that it’s no joke as well as you do. But we’ve got a year to fight in, and now we must plan the campaign. I did cal’late to see Caroline this mornin’. Then, if I heard from her own lips that ’twas actually so, I didn’t know’s I wouldn’t drop in and give Sister Corcoran-Queen-Victoria-Dunn a few plain facts about it not bein’ a healthy investment to hurry matters. You’re wantin’ to see me headed me off, and I come here instead.”
The lawyer looked at him in astonishment.
“See here, Captain Warren,” he demanded, “what do you imagine I asked you to come here for?”
“Why, to talk about that miserable engagement, sartin. Poor girl! I’ve been awake ha’f the night thinkin’ of the mess she’s been led into. And she believes she’s happy, I suppose.”
Sylvester shook his head. “I see,” he said, slowly. “You would think it that, naturally. No, Captain, it isn’t the engagement. It’s more serious than that.”
“More serious than—more serious! Why, what on earth? Hey? Mr. Sylvester, has that rock-lighthouse business come to somethin’ after all?”
The lawyer nodded. “It has,” he replied.
“I want to know! And I’d almost forgot it, not hearin’ from you. It’s a rock, too, I judge, by the looks of your face. Humph!... Is it very bad?”
“I’m afraid so.”
The captain pulled his beard. “Well,” he said, wearily, after a moment, “I guess likely I can bear it. I’ve had to bear some things in my time. Anyhow, I’ll try. Heave ahead and get it over with. I’m ready.”