t of the business is over. The
next part's even more in the family, so I thought we didn't need legal
advice. You see just how matters stand. My niece is a poor girl. She
needs somebody to support her and look out for her. She's got that
somebody, we're all thankful to say. She's engaged to Mr. Malcolm here.
And, as you're his ma, Mrs. Dunn, and I'm Caroline's guardian, us old
folks'll take our affairs in hand; they needn't listen, if they don't
want to. I understand from Steve that Malcolm's been mighty anxious to
have the weddin' day hurried along. I can't say as I blame him. And _I_
think the sooner they're married the better. Now, how soon can we make
it, Mrs. Dunn?"

This unexpected and matter-of-fact query was variously received. Mrs.
Dunn frowned and flushed. Malcolm frowned, also. Steve nodded emphatic
approval. As for Caroline, she gazed at her guardian in horrified
amazement.

"Why!" she cried. "You--you--What do you mean by such--"

"Don't be an idiot, Caro!" cut in her brother. "I told you to be
sensible. Captain Warren's dead right."

"Stevie, you stay out of this." There was no misunderstanding the
captain's tone. "When I want your opinion I'll ask for it. And,
Caroline, I want you to stay out, too. This is my trick at the wheel.
Mrs. Dunn, what d'you say? Never mind the young folks. You and me know
that marriage is business, same as everything else. How soon can we have
the weddin'?"

Mrs. Dunn had, apparently, nothing to say--to him. She addressed her
next remark to Caroline.

"My dear," she said, in great agitation, "this is really too dreadful.
This--er--guardian of yours appears to think he is in some barbarous
country--ordering the savages about. Come! Malcolm, take her away."

"No," Captain Elisha stepped in front of the door. "She ain't goin'; and
I'd rather you wouldn't go yet. Let's settle this up now. I ain't askin'
anything unreasonable. Caroline's under my charge, and I've got to plan
for her. Your boy's just crazy to marry her; he's been beggin' for her
to name the day. Let's name it. It needn't be to-morrow. I cal'late
you'll want to get out invitations and such. It needn't be next week.
But just say about when it can be; then I'll know how to plan. That
ain't much to ask, sartin."

Much or little, neither Mrs. Dunn nor her son appeared ready to answer.
Malcolm fidgeted with his hat and gloves; his mother fanned herself with
her handkerchief. Caroline, frantic with humiliation and