“I am not curious.”
“Oh, come, she's a relative of yours, and the very last thing she said to me was, 'Tell Jake I am quite happy."'
But Benson seemed quite untouched by this mark of affection.
“Naturally you'll take an interest in her affairs.”
“Naturally I'll take in them no interest at all,” said Benson with much deliberation.
“A very uncousinly attitude on your part; and one to be deplored,” responded the captain, smiling and unabashed.
“Where is Mrs. Tucker?” asked Benson.
“Mrs. Gibbs,” corrected the captain reproachfully.
“Mrs. Gibbs, then—where is she?”
“She is in St. Louis,” said the captain. “We didn't know of Tucker's death until a month ago. Lucky we heard of it when we did, for if we hadn't, we should have been on our way to California as soon as the season opened; this will change our plans. There is no use going to California for what we can get nearer at hand, and with much less trouble; and it won't come amiss; your cousin is altogether lacking in Benson thrift.”