hen."

She laughed again. "I can't help it," she said; "they are so funny."

The captain chuckled. "Yes," he said, "and they don't know it. I
cal'late a person's skull has got room for just about so much in it and
no more. Cornelius Charles's head is so jammed with self-satisfaction
that his sense of humor was crowded out of door long ago."

One boarder at Mrs. Hepton's did not call, nor did Captain Elisha allude
to him. Caroline noticed the latter fact and understood the reason.
Also, when the captain went to the city, as he frequently did, and
remained longer than usual, she noticed that his explanations of the
way in which he spent his time were sometimes vague and hurried. She
understood and was troubled. Yet she thought a great deal on the subject
before she mentioned it.

On the April afternoon when Caroline sat at the window of the living
room awaiting her uncle's return she was thinking of that subject.
But, at last, her mind was made up. It was a hard thing to do; it was
humiliating, in a way; it might--though she sincerely hoped not--be
misconstrued as to motive; but it was right. Captain Elisha had been
so unselfish, so glad to give up every personal inclination in order to
please her, that she would no longer permit her pride to stand in the
way of his gratification, even in little things. At least, she would
speak to him on the matter.

He came on a later than his usual train, and at dinner, when she asked
where he had been, replied, "Oh, to see Sylvester, and--er--around." She
asked him no more, but, when they were together in the living room, she
moved her chair over beside his and said without looking at him:

"Uncle Elisha, I know where you've been this afternoon. You've been to
see Mr. Pearson."

"Hey?" He started, leaned back and regarded her with astonishment and
some alarm.

"You've been to see Mr. Pearson," she repeated, "haven't you?"

"Why--why, yes, Caroline, I have--to tell you the truth. I don't see how
you knew, but," nervously, "I hope you don't feel bad 'cause I did. I
go to see him pretty often. You see, I think a good deal of him--a whole
lot of him. _I_ think he's a fine young feller. Course I know you don't,
and so I never mention him to you. But I do hope you ain't goin' to ask
me not to see him."

She shook her head. "No," she said. "I would have no right to ask that,
even if I wished to. And I do not wish it. Uncle Elisha, if you were
alone here, he would come to see you;