“I know, but I am not. And neither is Steve. He and I have planned it all. His salary at first will be small, and so will mine. But together we can earn enough to live somehow and, later on, when he earns more, perhaps we may be able to repay a little of all that you have given us. We shall try. I shall insist upon it.”
“Caroline Warren, is that the reason you sent Jim away? Did you tell him that? Did you tell him you wouldn’t marry him on account of me?”
“No, of course I did not,” indignantly. “I told him—I said I must not think of marriage; it was impossible. And it is! You know it is, Uncle Elisha!”
“I don’t know any such thing. If you want to make me happy, Caroline, you couldn’t find a better way than to be Jim Pearson’s wife. And you would be happy, too; you said so.”
“But I am not thinking of happiness. It is my duty—to you and to my own self-respect. And not only that, but to Steve. Someone must provide a home for him. Neither he nor I will permit you to do it a day longer than is necessary. I am his sister and I shall not leave him.”
“But you won’t have to leave him. Steve’s future’s all fixed. I’ve provided for Steve.”
“What do you mean?”
“What I say.” The captain was very much excited and, for once, completely off his guard. “I’ve had plans for Steve all along. He’s doin’ fust-rate in that broker’s office, learnin’ the trade. Next summer he’ll have another whack at it and learn more. When he’s out of college I’m goin’ to turn over your dad’s seat on the Stock Exchange to him. Not give it to him, you know—not right off—but let him try; and then, if he makes a good fist at it, he’ll have it permanent. Steve’s got the best chance in the world. He couldn’t ask much better, seems to me. You ain’t got to fret yourself about Steve.”
He paused, almost out of breath. He had been speaking rapidly so as to prevent interruption. Caroline’s astonishment was too great for words, just then. Her uncle anxiously awaited her reply.
“You see, don’t you?” he asked. “You understand. Steve’s goin’ to have the chance to make a good livin’ at the very thing he declares he’s set on doin’. I ain’t told him, and I don’t want you to, but it’s what I’ve planned for him and—”