formal. And
there is a fire--for us _old_ folks," with a slight accent on the word.

The library was more homelike. Not as many books as at the Warrens', but
a great deal of gilt in the bindings and much carving on the cases. The
fire was cheery, and the pair sat down before it in big easy chairs.
Mrs. Dunn looked intently at the glowing coals.

Captain Elisha cleared his throat. Mrs. Dunn leaned forward expectantly.
The captain coughed and sank back in his chair.

"Yes?" purred the lady. "You were about to say?"

"Me? Oh, no, I didn't say anything."

Another period of silence. Mrs. Dunn's foot tapped the rug impatiently.
She wished him to begin the conversation, and he would not. At length,
in desperation, she began it herself.

"I suppose you find New York rather different from--er--North--er--"

"From South Denboro? Yes, ma'am."

"Do you like the city life?"

"Well, I don't know, ma'am."

"Not as well as you do that of the country, doubtless."

"Well, you see, I ain't had so much of it."

"No, of course not. It does so depend upon what one is accustomed to.
Now I fancy I should be perfectly desperate in your village."

One corner of Captain Elisha's mouth curled upward.

"I shouldn't be surprised," he admitted.

"Desperately lonely, I mean."

"Yes'm. I judged that was what you meant. Still, folks can be lonesome
in New York."

"Perhaps. But really I don't see how. With all the whirl and the crowds
and the glorious excitement. The feeling that one is at the very heart,
the center of everything!"

"Yes. If you belong to the machinery, I s'pose it's all right. But
if you've been leanin' over the rail, lookin' on, and get pushed in
unexpected, maybe you don't care so much about bein' nigh the center."

"Then why stay there? Why not get out?"

"If you're caught in the wheels, gettin' out's somethin' of a job."

"But, as I understand it, Captain Warren--I may be misinformed, for, of
course, I haven't been unduly curious concerning your family affairs--as
_I_ understand it, you were not obliged to remain among the--among
the wheels, as you call them. You could have gotten out quite easily,
couldn't you?"

"I presume likely I could. But, you see, ma'am, I had a feelin' that I'd
ought to stay."

Mrs. Dunn laughed lightly. "Ah me!" she exclaimed; "you felt it your
duty, I suppose. Oh, you New England Puritans!"

She shook her head in playful mockery. Then she added, "But, at all
events, it canno