CHAPTERI”Ostable！”screamedthebrakeman，openingthecardoorandyellinghisloudest，soastobeheardabovetherattleofthetrainandtheshriekofthewind；”Ostable！”
　　Thebrakeman’scapwassoakedthrough，hishairwasplastereddownonhisforehead，and，intheyellowlightfromthecarlamps，hiswetnoseglistenedasifvarnished。Overhisshoulderstheshinyropesofrainwhippedandlashedacrossthespacebetweenthecars。
　　Thewindowsstreamedaseachsucceedinggustflungitsminiaturefreshetagainstthem。
　　Thepassengersinthecar——therewerebutfourofthem——didnotseemgreatlyinterestedinthebrakeman’sannouncement。Thered-
　　facedpersonintheseatnearesttherearsleptsoundly，ashehaddoneforthelasthourandahalf。HehadboardedthetrainatBrockton，and，afterrequestingtheconductornotto”lemmemegitbyBayport，Bill，”atfirstfavoredhisfellowtravelerswithasongandthensankintoslumber。
　　Thetwoelderlymensittingtogetherontheright-handsideofthecardronedonintheirapparentlyendlessJeremiadconcerningthelowpriceofcranberries，thescarcityofscallopsontheflats，thereasonswhythefishweirswereafailurenowadays，andsimilarcheerfultopics。Andinhisseatontheleft，Mr。AtwoodGraves，juniorpartnerintheNewYorkfirmofSylvester，KuhnandGraves，lawyers，stirreduneasilyonthelumpyplushcushion，lookedathiswatch，thenatthetime-tableinhishand，notedthatthetrainwasnowseventy-twominuteslate，andforatleastthefifteenthtimementallycursedtherailwaycompany，thewholeofCapeCodfromSandwichtoProvincetown，andthefateswhichhadbroughthimthere。
　　Thetrainsloweddown，inajerky，hiccoughysortofway，andcreptontillthecarinwhichMr。Graveswasseatedwasabreastthelightedwindowsofasmallstation，whereitstopped。Peeringthroughthewater-streakedpaneattheendofhisseat，thelawyersawdimsilhouettesofuncertainoutlinemovingabout。Theymovedwithprovokingslowness。Hefeltthatitwouldbejoyunspeakabletorushoutthereandthumpthemintoanimation。ThefactthatthestatelyAtwoodGraveseventhoughtofsuchanundignifiedproceedingissufficientindicationofhisframeofmind。
　　Then，behindthedoorwhichthebrakeman，afterannouncingthestation，hadclosedagain，soundedabiglaugh。TheheartinessofitgratedonMr。Graves’snerves。Whatidiotcouldlaughonsuchanightasthisaboardatrainoveranhourlate？
　　Thelaughwasrepeated。Thenthedoorwasflungbrisklyopen，andamanenteredthecar。Hewasabigman，broad-shouldered，inclinedtostoutness，wearingaclothcapwithavisor，andaheavyulster，thecollarofwhichwasturnedup。Throughthegapbetweentheopenendsofthecollarbristledashort，grayishbeard。Thefaceabovethebeardandbelowthevisorwassunburned，withlittlewrinklesabouttheeyesandcurvinglinesfromthenostrilstothecornersofthemouth。Theupperlipwasshaved，andtheeyebrowswereheavyandgrayishblack。Cap，face，andulsterweredrippingwithwater。
　　Thenewcomerpausedinthedoorwayforaninstant，evidentlytoaddthefinishingtouchtoaconversationpreviouslybegun。”Well，Itellyou，Ezra，”hecalled，overhisshoulder，”ifit’stoodeeptowade，maybeIcanswim。Fatfloats，theytellme，andAbbiesaysI’mgettin’fleshiereveryday。Solong。”
　　Heclosedthedoorand，smilingbroadly，swungdowntheaisle。Thepairofcalamityprophetsbrokeofftheirlamentoverthedecliningfisheriesandgreetedhimalmostjovially。”Hello，Cap’n！”criedone。”What’sthesouthshoredoin’overhereinthisflood？””What’sthematter，Cap’n？”demandedtheother。”Brokeloosefromyourmoorin’s，haveyou？Didyoueverseesuchanightinyourlife？”
　　Themanintheulstershookhandswitheachofhisquestioners，removingapairofwet，heavyleatherglovesashedidso。”Don’tknow’sIeverdid，Dan，”heanswered。”Couldn’tseemuchofthisonebutitscolor——andthat’sblack。Icomeoverthismornin’
　　toattendtosomebusinessatthecourt-house——deedstosomecranberrybogpropertyIjustbought——andJudgeBaxtermademegohomewithhimtodinner。Stayedathishousealltheafternoon，andthenhisman，EzraHallett，undertooktodrivemeupheretothedepot。Talkaboutblindpilotin’！Whew！TheJudge’shorsewasanewone，notusedtotheroads，Ezra’snear-sighted，andI
　　couldn’tusemyglasses’countoftherain。Letalonethat，’twasdarker’nthefore-holdofNoah’sark。Ho，ho！Sometimeswewasintherutsandsometimeswewasinthebushes。ItoldEzwe’doughttohavefetchedalongadipsylead，thenmaybewecouldgetourbearin’sbysoundin’s。’Couldn’tsee’emifwedidget’em，’sayshe。’No，’saysI，’butwecouldtaste’em。Manthat’sdriventhroughasmuchOstablemudasyouhaveoughttoknowthetasteofeveryroadintown。’””Well，youcaughtthetrain，anyhow，”observedDan。”Yup。Ifwe’dbeencrippledasWELLasblindwecouldhavedonethat。”HeseatedhimselfjustinfrontofthepairandglancedacrosstheaisleatMr。Graves，tofindthelatterlookingintentlyathim。”Prettytoughnight，”heremarked，nodding。”Yes，”repliedthelawyerbriefly。Hedidnotencourageconversationwithcasualacquaintances。Thelatestarrivalhadcaughthisattentionbecausetherewassomethingfamiliarabouthim。ItseemedtoGravesthathemusthaveseenhimbefore；andyetthatwasveryimprobable。Thiswastheattorney’sfirstvisittoCapeCod，andhehadalreadyvoweddevoutlythatitshouldbehislast。Heturnedachillingshouldertothetriooppositeandagainconsultedthetime-table。Denborowasthenextstation；then——thanktheLord——
　　SouthDenboro，hisdestination。
　　Conversationacrosstheaislewasbrisk，anditssubjectsweremanyandvaried。Mr。Gravesbecameaware，moreorlessagainsthiswill，thatthepersoncalled”Cap’n”was，ifnotaleaderinpoliticsandlocalaffairs，stillonewhoseopinionscounted。Someofthoseopinions，asgiven，werepointedanddrylydescriptive；
　　as，forinstance，whenacertaintown-meetingcandidatewascomparedtoasculpin——”withabigheadthatsortofimpressesyou，tillyougetcloseenoughtorealizeitHAStobebigtomakeroomforsomuchmouth。”Graves，whowasfondofsaltwaterfishing，knewwhatasculpinwas，andappreciatedthecomparison。
　　Theconductorenteredthecarandstoppedtocollectaticketfromhisnewpassenger。Itwasevidentthathe，too，wasacquaintedwiththelatter。”Evening，Cap’n，”hesaid，politely。”Train’salittlelateto-
　　night。””Itis——forto-night’strain，”wasthepromptresponse，”butifitkeepsonattherateit’stravelin’now，it’llbealittleearlyforto-morrowmornin’s，won’tit？”
　　Theconductorlaughed。”Guessyou’reright，”hesaid。”ThisisaboutaswetastormasI’verunthroughsinceI’vebeenontheroad。IfwegettoProvincetownwithoutawashoutwe’llbelucky……Well，we’vemadeanotherhitch。Sofar，sogood。”
　　Thebrakemanswungopenthedoortoshout，”Denboro！Denboro！”theconductorpickeduphislanternandhurriedaway，thelocomotivewhistledhoarsely，andthetrainhiccoughedalongsideanotherlittlestation。Mr。Graves，peeringthroughhiswindow，imaginedthatherethesilhouettesontheplatformmovedmorebriskly。Theyseemedalmostexcited。HeinferredthatDenborowasabiggerandmorewide-awakevillagethanOstable。
　　Buthewasmistaken。Thereasonfortheexcitementwasmadeplainbytheconductoramomentafterwards。Thatofficialenteredthecar，removedhisuniformcap，andrubbedawetforeheadwithawetterhand。”Well，gentlemen，”hesaid，”I’vebeenexpectingit，andhereitis。Markmedownasagoodprophet，willyou？There’sawashoutamilefurtheron，andatelegraphpoleacrossthetrack。It’sblowinggreatgunsandrainingpitchforks。It’llbeoutofthequestionforustogoforwardbeforedaylight，ifthen。Darnarailroadman’sjobanyhow！”
　　FiveminuteslaterMr。Gravesdescendedthestepsofthecar，histravelingbaginonehandandanumbrellaintheother。Assoonasbothfeetweresecurelyplantedontheplatform，heputdownthebagtowrestlewiththeumbrellaandthehurricane，whichwasapparentlyblowingfromfourdirectionsatonce。Feelinghishatleavinghishead，hebecameawarethattheumbrellahadturnedinsideout。Hethrewthewreckviolentlyunderthetrainandstoopedtopickupthebag。Thebagwasnolongerthere。”It’sallright，”saidacalmvoicebehindhim。”I’vegotyoursatchel，neighbor。Betterbeatforharbor，hadn’twe？Here！thisway。”
　　ThebewilderedNewYorkerfelthisarmseizedinafirmgrip，andhewasrushedacrosstheplatform，throughadelugeofwind-drivenwater，andintoasmall，hot，close-smellingwaitingroom。WhenhepushedhishatclearofhiseyeshesawthathisrescuerwasthebigmanwhoboardedthetrainatOstable。Hewasholdingthemissingbagandsmiling。”Dirtyweather，hey？”heobserved，pleasantly。”Sorryyourumbrellahadtogobytheboard。Iseeyouwascarryin’toomuchcanvasandtriedtorunalongsideintimetogiveyouatow；butyouwasdismastedjustasIgotthere。Here’syourdunnage，allsafeandsound。”
　　Heextendedthetravelingbagatarm’slength。Mr。Gravesacceptedhispropertyandmurmuredthanks，nottoocordially。Hisdignityandtemperhadgoneoverboardwiththeumbrella，andhehadnotyetrecoveredthem。”Well，”wentonhiscompanion，”hereweare！AndI，forone，wantedtobesomewhereselse。Caleb，”turningtothestationmaster，whocameinatthatmoment，”anywayofmygettin’hometo-night？””’Fraidnot，Cap’n，”wastheanswer。”Idon’tknowofany。Guessyou’llhavetoputupatthehotelandwaittillmornin’。””That’sright，”agreedthepassengercalled”Dan，”whowasstandingnear。”That’swhatJerryandIaregoin’todo。””Yes，butyouandJerryareboundforOrham。I’mbookedforSouthDenboro，andthat’sonlysevenmilesoff。I’dSWIMthewholesevenratherthanputupatSimTitcomb’shotel。I’vebeenthereafore，thankyou！Lookhere，Caleb，can’tIhireateamanddriveover？””Well，Idon’tknow。S’poseyoumightringupPeteShattuckandaskhim。He’sprettyparticularabouthishorses，though，andI
　　cal’latehe——””Allright。I’llringhimup。Peteoughttogetoversomeofhisparticularnesstoobligeme。I’vehelpedHIMonceortwice。”
　　Hewasonhiswaytotheticketoffice，wherethetelephonehungonthewall。ButMr。Gravessteppedforwardandspoketohim。”Excuseme，sir，”saidthelawyer。”DidIunderstandyoutosayyouweregoingtoSouthDenboro？””Yes。Iam，ifthepowers——andPeteShattuck——’llletme。””Youweregoingtodriveover？MayIgowithyou？I’mveryanxioustogettoSouthDenborotonight。Ihavesomeveryimportantbusinessthere，andIwanttocompleteitandgetawayto-morrow。ImustbebackinNewYorkbythemorningfollowing。”
　　Thecaptainlookedhisquestionerover。Therewasadoubtfullookonhisface，andhesmiledquizzically。”Well，Idon’tknow，Mr——””Gravesismyname。””Idon’tknow，Mr。Graves。Thisain’tgoin’tobeapleasurecruiseexactly。Youmightgetprettywet。””Idon’tcare。IcangetdryagainwhenIgetthere。OfcourseI
　　shallsharetheexpenseofthelivery。IshallbegreatlyobligedifImaygowithyou。Ifnot，Imusttryforarigmyself。””Oh，ifyoufeelthatwayaboutit，why，comeaheadandwelcome。I
　　wasonlywarnin’you，that’sall。However，withmeaboardforballast，Iguesswewon’tblowaway。WaitajiffytillIgetafterPete。”
　　Heenteredtheticketofficeandraisedabighandtothelittlecrankofthetelephonebell。”Let’ssee，Caleb，”hecalled；”what’sShattuck’snumber？””Fourlongandtwoshort，”answeredthestationmaster。
　　Graves，wonderingvaguelywhatsortoftelephonesystemwasinuseonCapeCod，heardhisprospectivepilotringtheinstrumentforafulltwoseconds，repeatingtheringfourtimesaltogether。Thishefollowedwithtwosharptinkles。Thencameaseriesofshouted”Hellos！”and，atlast，fragmentsofone-halfofadialogue。”Thatyou，Shattuck？Knowwhothisis，don’tyou？Yes，that’sright……Say，howmanyfolkslisteneverytimeabellringsonthisline？I’veheardnoless’neightreceiverscomedownsofar……Twoof’emwentupthen，didyouhear’em？……
　　Sartin……Iwanttohireateamtogooverhomewith……
　　To-night——Sartin……Idon’tcare……Yes，youwill，too……
　　YES，youWILL……Sendmymanbackwithitto-morrow……
　　Idon’tcareWHATitis，soit’sgotfourlegsandwheels……”
　　Andsoonforatleastfiveminutes。Thenthecaptainhungupthereceiverandcamebacktothewaitingroom。”Bargain’smade，Mr。Graves，”heannounced。”Pete’llhavesomesortofaturn-outalongsidesoon’shecangetitharnessed。Ifyou’vegotanyextrastormdudsinthatsatchelofyours，I’dadviseyoutoput’emon。We’regoin’tohavearoughpassage。”
　　Justhowroughitwaslikelytobe，GravesrealizedwhenheemergedfromthestationtoboardtheShattuckbuggy。”Pete”himselfhaddriventheequipageoverfromtheliverystable。”Iwouldn’tdothisforanybodybutyou，Cap’n，”hevouchsafed，inwhatmightbecalledareproachfulshout。Shoutingwasnecessary，owingtothenoiseofthestorm。”Wouldn’tdowhat？”repliedthecaptain，lookingfirstattheancienthorseandthenatthebatteredbuggy。”Letthishorseoutanightlikethis。””Humph！Ishouldthinknightwouldbetheonlytimeyouwouldlethimout……There！there！nevermind。Getaboard，Mr。Graves。
　　Putyoursatchelonthefloorbetweenyourfeet。Here，letmeh’istthatbootforyou。”
　　The”boot”wasarubbercurtainbuttonedacrossthefrontofthebuggy，extendingfromthedashboardtojustbelowthelevelofthedriver’seyes。Thelawyerclamberedinbehindit，thecaptainfollowed，theendofthereinswaspassedthroughaslitintheboot，Mr。Shuttuck，afterinquiringiftheywere”alltaut，”gavethecommand，”Gid-dap！”andhorseandbuggymovedaroundthecornerofthestation，outintodarkness。
　　OfthenexthourGraves’smemoriesarekeenbutmonotonous，——
　　astrongsmellofstable，arisingfromthelaprobewhichhadevidentlybeenrecentlyusedasahorseblanket；thesoundofhoofs，inaninterminable”jog，jog——splash，splash，”neverhurrying；aseriesofexasperatedhowlsfromthecaptain，whowasdoinghisbesttomakethemhurry；thethunderousroarofrainonthebuggytopandtheshriekinggalewhichrockedthevehicleonitsspringsandsentshowersoffinespraydrivinginateverycrackandcrevicebetweenthecurtains。
　　Theviewahead，overtheboot，wasblackness，borderedbyspiderytreesandbrancheswhippinginthewind。Occasionallytheypassedhousessittingwellbackfromtheroad，alightedwindowgleamingcozily。Andever，astheymoved，thestormseemedtogatherforce。
　　Gravesnoticedthisand，atlength，whenhisnervousnesshadreachedthebreakingpoint，screamedaquestioninhiscompanion’sear。Theyhadattemptednoconversationduringtheride，thelawyer，whosecontemptuousopinionofthelocalityandallitsinhabitantswasnowaconviction，feelingthattheresultwouldnotbeworththeeffort，andthecaptainbusywithhisdriving。”Itisblowingworsethanever，isn’tit？”yelledthenervousGraves。”Hey？No，justaboutthesame。It’sdeadsou’-westandwe’regettingoutofthewoods，that’sall。UponthosebarehillswecatchthefullforceofitrightofftheSound。Bethereprettysoonnow，ifthisOldHundredofahorsewouldquitwalkin’inhissleepandreallymove。ThemlightsaheadareSouthDenboro。”
　　Thelightswereclusteredatthefootofalongandrathersteephill。Downthedeclivitybouncedandrockedthebuggy。Thehorse’shoofssoundedhollowontheplanksofabridge。Theroadnarrowedandbecameavillagestreet，borderedandarchedbytalltreeswhichgroanedandthreshedinthehurricane。Therain，asitbeatinovertheboot，had，sothelawyerfancied，asaltytaste。
　　Thecaptainbentdown。”Say，Mister，”heshouted，”wherewasityouwantedtostop？Whoisityou’relookin’for？””What？””Isay——HeavenstoBetsy！howthatwinddoesscreech！——Isaywhere’boutsshallIlandyou。ThisisSouthDenboro。Whosehousedoyouwanttogoto？””I’mlookingforoneofyourleadingcitizens。ElishaWarrenishisname。””What？””ElishaWarren。I——”
　　Hewasinterrupted。Therewasasharpcrackoverhead，followedbyatremendousrattleandcrash。Thendownuponthebuggydescendedwhat，toGraves，appearedtobeanavalancheofscratching，tearingtwigsandbranches。Theyrippedawaythebootandlaprobeandjammedhimbackagainsttheseat，theirsharppointsagainsthisbreast。Thebuggywasjerkedforwardafewfeetandstoppedshort。
　　Heheardtheclatterofhoofsandshoutsof”Whoa！”and”Standstill！”Hetriedtorise，butthetangleoftwigsbeforehimseemedimpenetrable，sohegaveitupandremainedwherehewas。
　　Then，afteraninterval，cameahailfromthedarkness。”Hi，there！Mr。Graves，ahoy！Hurt，beyou？””No，”thelawyer’stonewasdoubtful。”No——o，I——Iguessnot。
　　Thatyou，Captain？””Yes，it’sme。Standstill，youfoolhead！Quityourhoppin’upanddown！”Thesecommandswereevidentlyaddressedtothehorse。”Gladyouain’thurt。Bettergetout，hadn’tyou？””I——I’mnotsurethatIcangetout。Whatonearthhashappened？””Treelimbcarriedaway。Luckyforuswegotthebrushend，’steadofthebutt。Scoochdownandseeifyoucan’twriggleoutunderneath。Idid。”
　　Mr。Gravesobediently”scooched。”Afterastrugglehemanagedtoslideunderthetangleofbranchesand，atlength，stoodonhisfeetintheroadbesidethebuggy。Thegreatlimbhadfallenacrossthestreet，itsheavyendnearthewalk。Asthecaptainhadsaid，itwasfortunateforthetravelersthatthe”brush”onlyhadstruckthecarriage。
　　Gravesfoundhiscompanionstandingatthehorse’shead，holdingthefrightenedanimalbythebridle。Therainwasdescendinginaflood。”Well！”gaspedtheagitatedNewYorker。”I’llbehangedifthisisn’t——””Ain’tit？Butsay，Mr。Graves，WHOdidyousayyouwascomin’tosee？””Oh，apersonnamedElishaWarren。Helivesinthisforsakenholesomewhere，Ibelieve。IfIhadknownwhatanexperienceImustgothroughtoreachhim，I’dhaveseenhimatthedevil。”
　　Fromthebulkyfigureatthehorse’sheadcameachuckle。”Humph！Well，Mr。Graves，ifthebuttofthatlimbhadfetchedus，insteadoft’otherend，Idon’tknowbutyouMIGHThaveseenhimthere。I’mElishaWarren，andthat’smyhouseoveryonderwherethelightsare。”
　　CHAPTERII”Thisisyourroom，Mr。Graves，”saidMissAbigailBaker，placingthelightedlamponthebureau。”Andhere’sapairofsocksandsomeslippers。TheybelongtoElisha——Cap’nWarren，thatis——buthe’sgotmore。Coldwaterandtowelsandsoapareonthewashstandoveryonder；butIguessyou’vehadenoughCOLDwaterforonenight。There’splentyhotinthebathroomattheendofthehall。
　　Afteryouchangeyourwetthings，justleave’emspreadoutonthefloor。I’llcomefetch’embyandbyandhang’emtodryinthekitchen。Comerightdownstairswhenyou’reready。Anythingelseyouwant？No？Allrightthen。Youneedn’thurry。Supper’swaitedanhour’n’ahalfas’tis。’Twon’thurtittowaitaspelllonger。”
　　Shewentaway，closingthedoorafterher。Thebewildered，wetandshiveringNewYorkerstaredabouttheroom，which，tohissurprise，waswarmandcozy。Thewarmthwasfurnished，sohepresentlydiscovered，byasteamradiatorinthecorner。Radiatorsandabathroom！Theseweremodernluxurieshewouldhavetakenforgranted，hadElishaWarrenbeenthesortofmanheexpectedtofind，thecountrymagnate，theleadingcitizen，fittingbrothertothelateA。RodgersWarren，ofFifthAvenueandWallStreet。
　　ButtheCaptainWarrenwhohaddrivenhimtoSouthDenborointherainwasnotthatkindofmanatall。HismannerandhislanguagewereasfarremovedfromthoseofthelateA。Rodgersasthelatter’sbrownstoneresidencewasfromthisbigramblinghouse，withitsdeepstairsandnarrowhalls，itsantiquatedpicturesandhideous，old-fashionedwallpaper；asfarremovedasMissBaker，whomthecaptainhadhurriedlyintroducedas”mysecondcousinkeepin’houseforme，”wasfromthedignifiedbutleratthemansiononFifthAvenue。Patchworkcomfortersandfeatherbedswerenot，inthelawyer’sschemeofthings，fitassociatesforradiatorsandup-to-datebathrooms。AndcertainlythisparticularWarrenwasnotfittedtobeelderbrothertotheNewYorkbrokerwhohadbeenSylvester，KuhnandGraves’client。
　　Itcouldnotbe，itCOULDnot。Theremustbesomemistake。Incountrytownstherewerelikelytobeseveralofthesamename。
　　TheremustbeanotherElishaWarren。Comfortedbythisthought，Mr。Gravesopenedhisvalise，extractedtherefromotheranddrierarticlesofwearingapparel，andproceededtochangehisclothes。
　　Meanwhile，MissAbigailhaddescendedthestairstothesittingroom。BeforeadriftwoodfireinabigbrickfireplacesatCaptainWarreninhisshirt-sleeves，apairofmammothcarpetslippersonhisfeet，andthesaidfeetstretchedluxuriouslyouttowardtheblaze。”Abbie，”observedthecaptain，”thisissolidcomfort。EverytimeIgoawayfromhomeIgetintotrouble，don’tI？LasttripItooktoBoston，Ilostthirtydollars，and——””Lostit！”interruptedMissBaker，tartly。”Gaveitaway，youmean。””Ididn’tGIVEitaway。Ilentit。Abbie，yououghttoknowthedifferencebetweenagiftandaloan。””Ido——whenthereisanydifference。Butiflendin’TimFosterain’tgivin’itaway，thenImissmyguess。””Well，”withanotherchuckle，”Timdon’tfeelthatway。Hesworerightupanddownthathewouldn’ttakeacent——asagift。I
　　offeredtomakehimapresentoftendollars，buthelookedsoshockedthatIapologizedaforehecouldsayno。””Yes，andthenLENThimthatthirty。Shocked！Theonlythingthatwouldshockthatgood-for-nothin’isbein’settowork。Whatpossessedyoutobesuchasoft-head，_I_don’tknow。WhenyougetbackacopperofthatmoneyI’llbelievethemillennium’sstruck，that’sall。””Hum！Well，I’llhelpyoubelieveit——thatis，ifIhavetimeaforeIdropdeadofheartdisease。Abbie，you’dmakeagoodlawyer；youcangetupanargumentoutofaperfectagreement。I
　　saidthethirtydollarswaslost，tobeginwith。ButIknewTimFoster’smotherwhensheusedtothinkthatboyofherswastheeighthwonderoftheworld。AndIpromisedherI’ddowhatIcouldforhimlong’sIlived……Butitseemstomewe’vedriftedsomeoffthecourse，ain’twe？WhatIstartedtosaywasthateverytimeIgoawayfromhomeIgetintotrouble。UptoBoston’twasTimandhis’loan。’To-nightit’saboutashealthyasou’-westerasI’veeverbeenoutin。Danfetchedintheteam，hashe？””Yes。It’sinthestable。Hesaysthebuggydashisprettywellscratchedup，andthatit’sawonderyouandthatGravesmanwa’n’tkilled。Whoishe，anyhow？””Landknows，Idon’t。””Youdon’tknow！Thenwhat’shedoin’here？””Changin’hisduds，Iguess。That’swhatI’ddoifIlookedasmuchlikeadrownedratashedid。””’LishaWarren！ifyouain’tthemostPROVOKIN’thing！Don’tbesounlikely。YouknowwhatImean。What’shecomehere，tothishouse，for？”Don’tknow，Abbie。Ididn’tknowheWAScomin’heretilljustaswegotdownyonderbyEmery’scorner。Iaskedhimwhohewaslookin’for，hesaid’ElishaWarren，’andthenthetreecavedinonus。””’Lisha，you——youdon’ts’pose’twasa——SIGN，doyou？””Sign？””Yes，asign，aprophecy-like，awarnin’thatsomethin’isgoin’tohappen。”
　　Thecaptainputbackhisheadandlaughed。”Signsomethin’HADhappened，Ishouldthink，”heanswered。”What’sGOIN’tohappenisthatPeteShuttuck’llgethisbuggypaintedfree-for-nothin’，atmyexpense。How’ssuppergettin’
　　along？Isitready？””Ready？It’sbeenreadyforsolongthatit’llhavetobegotreadyalloveragainif……Oh！Comerightin，Mr。Graves！I
　　hopeyou’redriernow。”
　　CaptainWarrensprangfromthechairtogreethisvisitor，whowasstandinginthedoorway。”Yes，comerightin，Mr。Graves，”heurged，cordially。”Setdownbythefireandmakeyourselfcomf’table。Abbie’llhavesomethin’
　　forustoeatinajiffy。Pullupachair。”
　　Thelawyercameforwardhesitatingly。Thedoubtswhichhadtroubledhimeversinceheenteredthehousewerestillinhismind。”Thankyou，Captain，”hesaid。”ButbeforeIacceptmoreofyourhospitalityIfeelIshouldbesurethereisnomistake。Ihavecomeonimportantbusiness，and——””Holdon！”Thecaptainheldupabighand。”Don’tyousayanotherword，”hecommanded。”There’sjustonebusinessthatinterestsmethisminute，andthat’ssupper。There’snomistakeaboutTHAT，anyhow。Didyousay’Comeahead，’Abbie？orwasyoujustgoingto？
　　Good！Rightintothedinin’room，Mr。Graves。”
　　Thediningroomwaslongandlow。Thewoodworkwaswhite，thefloorgreenpaintedboards，withbraidedragmatsscatteredoverthem。Therewereold-fashionedpicturesonthewalls，pictureswhichbroughtshudderstotheartisticsoulofAtwoodGraves。A
　　broadbaywindowfilledonesideoftheapartment，andinthiswindow，onshelvesandinwirebaskets，wereMissBaker’scherishedandcarefullytendedplants。Asforthediningtable，itwasdark，old-fashionedwalnut，aswerethechairs。”Setrightdownhere，Mr。Graves，”orderedthecaptain。”I’lltrytokeepyousuppliedwithsolidcargo，andAbbie’ll’tendtothemoistenin’。Hopethatteapotisfullup，Abbie。Hotteatastesgoodafteryou’veswalleredasmuchcoldrainasMr。GravesandI
　　have……Father-we-thank-thee-for-these-mercies-set-before-us-
　　Amen……How’syourappetitewhenitcomestoclampie，Mr。
　　Graves？”
　　Mr。Graves’sappetitewasgood，andtheclampiewasgood。So，too，werethehotbiscuitsandtheteaandhomemadepreservesandcake。Conversationduringthemealwas，forthemostpart，amonologuebythecaptain。HegaveMissBakeradetailedandexaggeratedaccountofhisadventuresinOstable，onboardthetrain，andduringthedrivehome。Thehousekeeperlistened，fidgetinginherchair。”’LishaWarren，”sheinterrupted，”howyoudotalk！Rainin’sohardyouhadtoholdthereinstauttokeepthehorse’sheadoutofwatersohewouldn’tdrown！Theidea！””Fact，”assertedCaptainWarren，withawinkathisguest。”Andthatwa’n’ttheworstofit。’TwassodarkIhadtokeepfeelin’
　　thebuggywithmyfoottobesureIwasinit。Ain’tthatso，Mr。
　　Graves？……Here！Abbiewon’tliketohaveyousetlookin’atthatemptyplate。She’salwaysafraidfolks’llnoticethegilt’swearin’off。Passitoverquick，andletmecoveritwithsomemorepie。””Yes，andhavesomemoretea，”urgedMissAbbie。Youmustn’tpayattentiontowhathesays，Mr。Graves，”shewenton。”Somedayhe’lltellthetruthbyaccident，andthenI’llknowit’stimetosendforthedoctor。”
　　SeveraltimesthelawyerattemptedtomentionthebusinesswhichhadbroughthimtotheCape，andtheprobabilityofhishavingmadeamistake。Butneitherhostnorhousekeeperwouldlisten。”Whenyou’vebeeninSouthDenboroaslongasIhave，”declaredtheformer，”you’llunderstandthatthetimetotalkbusinessiswhenyoucan’tthinkofanythingelse。Waittillwegetintothesettin’room。Abbie，thosesixoreightbiscuitsI’veatearegettin’lonesome。I’lltakeanotherforsociability，thankyou。”
　　But，atlast，whenallthebiscuitsbutoneweregone，andthecakeplatelookedliketheDesertofSahara，thecaptainpushedbackhischair，rose，andledthewayintothenextroom。MissBakerremainedtoclearthetable。”Setdownbythefire，Mr。Graves，”urgedthecaptain。”Nothin’
　　likeburnin’woodtolookhotandcomf’table，isthere？Itdon’talwaysmakeyoufeelthatway——that’swhyIputinhotwaterheat——
　　butforlooksandsociablenessyoucan’tbeatalogfire。Smoke，doyou？””Yes。Occasionally。But，CaptainWarren——””Here，trythat。It’sacigartheJudgegavemeovertoOstable。
　　Hesmokesthatkindreg’lar，butifyoudon’tlikeit，throwitaway。Heain’theretoseeyoudoit，soyouwon’tbefinedforcontemptofcourt。I’llsticktoapipe，ifyoudon’tmind。Nowwe’reshipshapeandalltaut，Ical’late。Let’ssee，youwantedtotalkbusiness，Ibelieve。””Yes，Idid。ButbeforeIbeginIshouldliketobesureyouaretheElishaWarrenIcamefromNewYorktointerview。IsthereanotherofthatnameinDenboro？””Um-hm。There’sWarrensa-plentyallthroughthissectionoftheCape。Ourfamilyblewashorehereahundredandfiftyyearsago，orsuchmatter。Mydad’snamewasElisha；sowasmygrandfather’s。
　　Bothseacap’ns，andbothdead。There’sanotherElishalivin’overontheshorelane。””Indeed。ThenperhapsitisheIwant。””P’raps。He’skeeperofthetownpoorhouse。Icantellyoubetterifyougivemeanideawhatyourbusinessis。””Iamanattorney。Andnowletmeaskanotherquestion，please。
　　Haveyou——hadyouabrotherinbusinessinNewYork？””Hey？”Thecaptainturnedandlookedhisguestsquarelyintheeye。Hisbrowsdrewtogether。”I’vegotabrotherinNewYork，”heanswered，slowly。”DidHE
　　sendyouhere？””Wasyourbrother’snameA。RodgersWarren？””’A。Rodgers’？No。HisnameisAbijahWarren，and——Wait！HismiddlenameisRodgers，though。Did’Bijesendyoutome？””Amoment，Captain。Wasyourbrotherabroker？””Yes。Hisofficeis——orusedtobeonBroadStreet。What——””Youhavenotheardfromhimforsometime？””Notforeighteenyears。HeandIdidn’tagreeaswellaswemight。Maybe’twasmyfault，maybe’twashis。Ihavemyownideasonthat。Ifyou’relookin’for’BijeWarren’sbrother，Mr。Graves，Iguessyou’vecometotherightplace。ButWHAThesentyoutomefor，orwhathewants——forhewantssomethin’，orhewouldn’thavesent——Idon’tunderstand。””Whydoyouthinkhewantedsomething？””Becausehe’s’BijeWarren，andIwasbroughtupwithhim。Whenwewasyoungonestogether，hewenttoschoolandIwenttowork。Hegotthefrostin’onthecake，andIgottheburntpartnexttothepan。Hewenttocollege，andIwenttosea。He……However，youmustn’tthinkIfindfaultwithhimforthat。Isp’iledhimasmuchasanybody，Iguess。’Twaslateronthatwe……Well，nevermindthat，either。Whatisithewantsofme，aftereighteenyears？””Hewantsagooddealofyou，CaptainWarren。OrDIDwantit。””Did？Don’thewantitnow？””Idon’tknow。Captain，I’msurprisedthatyouhaven’theard。ItseemsthatIamthebearerofbadnews。Yourbrother——””Is’BijeDEAD？””Hediedtendaysagoverysuddenly。Inawayitwasagreatshocktousall，yetwehaveknownthathisheartwasweak。Herealizedit，too。””So’Bijeisdead，hey？”CaptainElisha’sfacewasverygrave，andhespokeslowly。”Dead！Well，well，well！”
　　Hepausedandlookedintothefire。Gravessawagainthatvagueresemblancehehadcaughtonthetrain，buthadforgotten。Heknewnowwhyhenoticedit。Unlikeasthetwobrotherswere，unlikeinalmosteveryway，thetraceoffamilylikenesswasthere。Thissunburned，retiredcaptainWAStheNewYorkfinancier’selderbrother。AndthiscertaintymadeMr。Graves’serrandmoredifficult，andthecauseofitmoreinexplicable。
　　CaptainElishaclearedhisthroat。”Well，well！”hesighed。”So’Bijehasgone。Is’poseyouthinkit’sodd，maybe，”hewenton，”thatIain’tmorestruckdownbythenews。Inaway，Iam，and，inaway，I’mmightysorry，too。But，tospeaktruth，heandIhavebeensoapart，andhavehadnothin’
　　todowitheachotherforsolongthat——that，well，I’vecometofeelasifIdidn’thaveabrother。AndIknowhefeltthatway。
　　Yes，andWANTEDtofeelso——Iknowthat。””Iwouldn’tsaythat，ifIwereyou，”observedthelawyer，gently。”Ithinkyou’remistakenthere。””Iain’tmistaken。Why，lookhere，Mr。Graves！TherewasatimewhenI’dhavegotdownonmykneesandcrawledfromheretoNewYorktohelp’BijeWarren。Ilenthimmoneytostartinbusiness。
　　LateronhimandIwentintopartnershiptogetherona——afoolSouthAmericanspeculationthatdidn’tpanoutfornothin’。I
　　didn’tcareforthat。Itookmychancesameashedid，weformedastockcompanyallamongstourselves，andI’vegotmyshareofthestocksomewhereyet。ItmaycomeinhandyifIeverwanttopaperthebarn。But’twa’n’tbusinessdealsofthatkindthatpartedus，’twasanothermatter。Somethin’thathedidtootherfolkswho’dtrustedusand……Humph！thisdon’tinterestyou，ofcourse……
　　Well，’Bijewaswelloff，Iknow。Hiswifediedwaybackinthenineties。Shewasoneofthemfashionablewomen，andahayseedsalt-herrin’ofabachelorbrother-in-lawstuckdownhereinthesandheapsdidn’tinteresthermuch——exceptassomethin’toforget，Is’pose。IusedtoseehernameintheBostonpapersoccasionally，givin’partiesatNewportandonethinga’nother。Ineverenvied’emthatkindoflife。I’maswellfixedasIwanttobe。Gotsomemoneyputbyforarainyspell，comf’tablehouseandland，besttownonearthtoliveinandworkfor；I’msatisfiedandalwayshavebeen。Iwouldn’tchangefornothin’。ButI’mnineyearolderthan’Bijewas——andyetI’mleftalive。Hum！””Yourbrotherhadtwochildrenbyhismarriage，”saidGraves，afteramomentofsilence。”Hey？Twochildren？Why，yes，Irememberhedid。Boyandgirl，wa’n’tthey？Ineversawem。They’vegrowedupbythistime，ofcourse。””Yes，theeldest，Caroline，isnearlytwenty。Theboy，Stephen，isayearyounger。Itisconcerningthosechildren，CaptainWarren，thatIhavecometoyou。”
　　CaptainElishaturnedinhischair。”Hey？”hequeried。”Thechildren？You’vecometomeabout’Bije’schildren？”
　　Gravesnodded。”Yes，”heanswered，solemnly。”ThatiswhatI
　　meantbysayingyourbrotherhadnotforgottenyouorwishedtoforgetyou。Inspiteoftheestrangement，itisevidentthathisconfidenceinyourjudgmentandintegritywassupreme。Hischildrenwerehisidols，CaptainWarren，andhehaslefttheminyourcharge。”
　　Thecaptain’spipefelltothehearth。”WHAT？”heshouted。”Lefthischildrento——toME！Mr。Graves，you’re——you’reoutofyourhead——orIam！””No，I’mperfectlysane。Ihaveacopyofthewillhere，and——”
　　HewasinterruptedbyMissBaker，whoappearedatthedoorofthediningroom。”Didyouwantme，’Lisha？”sheasked。
　　Heremployerstaredatherinadazed，uncomprehendingway。”Wantyou？”herepeated。”Wantyou？””Yes；Iheardyouholler，andIthoughtp’rapsyouwascallin’me。””Hey？No，Idon’twantyou，Abbie……Holler！Ishouldn’twonder！IfallIdidwasholler，I’msurprisedatmyself。No，no！
　　Runalongoutandshutthedoor。Yes，shutit……Now，Mr。
　　Graves，saythatoveragainandsayitslow。””Isaythatyourbrotherhaslefthistwochildreninyourcareuntiltheyoungestshallbecomeofage——twenty-one。Ihaveacopyofhiswillhere，and——””Wait，wait！letmethink。Lefthischildrentome！……toME。
　　Mr。Graves，had’Bijelostallhismoney？””No。Hewasnotthemillionairethatmanythoughthim。MissWarrenandherbrotherwillbeobligedtoeconomizesomewhatintheirmannerofliving。But，withcareANDeconomy，theirincomeshouldbequitesufficient，withouttouchingtheprincipal，to——””Holdonagain；theincome，yousay。Whatisthatincome？””Roughlyspeaking，amereestimate，abouttwentytotwenty-fivethousandyearly。”
　　CaptainElishahadstoopedtopickupthepipehehaddropped。
　　Hisfingerstouchedit，buttheydidnotclose。Insteadhestraightenedupinhischairasifsufferingfromanelectricshock。”Mr。Graves，”hebegan；”Mr。Graves，areyoucra。No，Iaskedyouthatbefore。But——buttwentyTHOUSANDa——ayear！Formercysakes，what’stheprincipal？””Intheneighborhoodoffivehundredthousand，Ibelieve。Ofcourse，wehadnoauthoritytoinvestigatethoroughly。Thatwillbeapartofyourduties，but——””S-shh！Letmesoakthisintomybrainsalittleatatime。’Bijeleaveshischildrenfivehundredthousand，halfamillion，and——andthey’vegottoECONOMIZE！AndI’m……Wouldyoumindreadin’methatwill？”
　　Theattorneydrewalongenvelopefromhispocket，extractedtherefromafoldeddocument，donnedapairofgold-mountedeyeglasses，andbegantoreadaloud。
　　Thewillwasshortandveryconcise。”’I，AbijahRodgersWarren，beingofsoundmind——’””You’resartinthatpart’strue，areyou？”brokeinthecaptain。
　　Gravesnodded，ratherimpatiently，andcontinued。”’Ofsoundmind，memoryandunderstanding，domake，publishanddeclarethistobemylastwillandtestament，inmannerfollowing，thatistosay:——”’First:——Idirectmyexecutorhereinafternamedtopaymyjustdebtsandfuneralexpensesassoonasmaybeconvenientaftermydecease。’””Didheowemuch，thinklikely？”askedCaptainElisha。”Apparentlynot。Verylittlebeyondtheusualbillsofahousehold。””Yes，yes。Grocerandbutcherandbakerandsuchlike。Well，I
　　guesstheywon’thavetoputinakeeper。Heaveahead。””’Second:——Igive，deviseandbequeathallmyestate，bothrealandpersonal，tomybrother，ElishaWarren，ifhesurvive——’”
　　Thecaptaingasped。”Tome？”hecried，inutteramazement。”HeleavesittoME？’Bijeleaves——say，Mr。Graves，there’ssomemistakeheresomewhere，sure！Andbesides，yousaid——””Justaminute，CaptainWarren，ifyouplease。Ifyou’llbepatientandnotinterrupt，I’lltrytomakethewholematterplain。””Well，ifyoucandoTHAT，you’llhaveKingSolomonandallhiswisdombeatamile，that’sallI’vegottosay。Goon。””’Tomybrother，ElishaWarren，ifhesurviveme，INTRUST，nevertheless，forthefollowingpurpose，towit:——”’Toinvestthesameandtousetheincomethereoffortheeducationandmaintenanceofmytwochildren，CarolineEdgecombeWarren——’””Edgecombe？Namedforsomeofhiswife’sfolks，Ipresumelikely。
　　Excusemeforputtin’myoarinagain。Goon。””’AndStephenColeWarren——’””THAT’Shiswife，sartin。ShewasaCole。Iswan，Ibegyourpardon。””’Untiltheelder，CarolineEdgecombeWarren，shallhavereachedhertwenty-firstbirthday，whenone-halfoftheprincipalofsaidestate，togetherwithone-halfoftheaccumulatedinterest，shallbegiventoher，andthetrustcontinuedfortheeducationandmaintenanceofmyson，StephenColeWarren，untilheshallhavereachedhistwenty-firstbirthday，whenIdirectthattheremainderbegiventohim。”’Third:——Iappointastestamentaryguardianofmysaidchildrenmysaidbrother，ElishaWarren。”’Fourth:——Iappointassoleexecutorofthis，mylastwillandtestament，mysaidbrother，ElishaWarren。”’Fifth:——ImposingimplicittrustandconfidenceinElishaWarren，mybrother，Idirectthathebenotrequiredtogivebondfortheperformanceofanyoftheaffairsortruststowhichhehasbeenhereinappointed。’”Theremainder，”concludedGraves，refoldingthewill，”ispurelyformal。ItisdatedMay15th，threeyearsago。Yourbrother，CaptainWarren，evidentlyrealized，althoughnooneelseseemstohavedoneso，theprecariousstateofhishealth，andprepared，aseverycarefulpersonshould，forthegreatemergency。”
　　Theattorneyremovedhiseyeglassesandrubbedthemwithhishandkerchief。CaptainElishasatsilent，staringatthefire。
　　Afteraninterval，Gravesspokeagain。”Ofcourse，Captain，”hewenton，”myerrandisnowplain。Icometoacquaintyouwithyourbrother’slastwishesandtoascertainwhetherornotyouarewillingtoacceptthetrustandresponsibilityhehaslaiduponyou。Asyoudoubtlessknow，thestateprovidesalegalrateofreimbursementforsuchservicesasyourswill——ormay——be。Ahem！””Maybe？YoumeanIain’tgottodothisthingunlessIwantto？””Certainly。Youhavetherighttorenouncethevariousappointments，inwhichcaseanotherexecutor，trustee，andguardianwillbeappointed。Irealize，andI’msurethatyourbrother’schildrenwillrealize，yourhesitanceinassumingsucharesponsibilityoverpersonswhomyouhaveneverevenmet。””Yes，Iguesswe’llallrealizeit；youneedn’tworryaboutthat。
　　Lookhere，dothechildrenknowI’melected？””Yes。Ofcourse，thewillhasbeenreadtothem。””Hum！Is’poselikelytheywasovercomewithjoy，wa’n’tthey？”
　　Gravesbithislip。RememberingthecommentsofMissCarolineandherbrotherwhentheylearnedoftheiruncle’sappointment，hehaddifficultyinrepressingasmile。”Well，”hereplied，slowly，”ofcourse，onecouldscarcelyexpectthemtorejoice。Theyhaveneverseenyou。Infact，Idoubtifeitherofthemknewtheirfatherhadabrother，living。””Y-e-e-s。Thatpartdon’tsurpriseme。Buttherestofitdoes。
　　Bythemiraclesoftheprophets！therestofitdoes！That’Bije——
　　’Bije——shouldleavehischildrenandtheirmoneytoMEtotakecareofispassin’humanbelief，asouroldministerusedtosay……
　　Humph！Is’poselikely，Mr。Graves，you’dliketohavemesayyesornotothethingwhileyou’rehere，hey？”
　　Gravesnodded。”Itwouldbewelltodoso，”hesaid。”Thesettlementoftheestatemustbetakeninhandassoonaspossible。
　　Thelawsodirects。””Yes，Iseethat。Well，whatwouldyouadvisemydoin’？”
　　Tothisdirectquestionthelawyerreturnedanoncommittalanswer。”I’mafraidthatmustbeansweredbyyourselfalone，CaptainWarren，”hesaid。”Ofcourse，theacceptanceofthetrustwillnecessarilyinvolvemuchtroubleandinconvenience，especiallytooneofyour——er——settledand——er——conservative——Ijudgemerelyfromwhatyouhavesaid——yourconservativehabits。Theestateislarge，theinvestmentsare，doubtless，manyandvaried，andthelaboroflookingintoandinvestigatingthemmayrequiresometechnicalskillandknowledgeoffinance。Yes。””Um-hm……Well，Ijudgethatthatkindofskillandknowledgecouldbehired，ifafellerfeltlikepayin’fairwages；hey？””Oh，yes，yes。Anygoodlawyercouldattendtothat，underthesupervisionoftheexecutor，certainly。Butthereareotherinconveniencestoa——a——””Countryjaylikeme。Iunderstand。Goahead。””Imeanthatyouwouldprobablyberequiredtospendmuch，orall，ofthenexttwoorthreeyearsinNewYork。””Would，hey？Ididn’tknowbutbein’asaguardianhasentirechargeofthechildrenandtheirmoneyandall——Iunderstandthat’swhathedoeshave——hecoulddirectthechildrenfetcheddowntowhereHElived，ifhewantedto。AmIwrong？””No，”thelawyer’shesitancyandannoyancewasplainlyevident。”No-o。Ofcourse，thatMIGHTbedone。Still，I——””Youthinkthatwouldn’tcausenomorerejoicin’thansomeotherthingshave？Yes，yes；Ical’lateIunderstand，Mr。Graves。Well，Iguessyou’llhavetogivemeto-nighttochewoverthis。Iguessyouwill。It’scomeonmesosudden，’Bije’sdeathandall，thatI
　　wanttobebymyselfandthink。Idon’twanttoseemunsociableorlackin’inhospitality。Thewholehouseisyours。Helpyourselftoit。ButwhenI’mcaughtinaclovehitch，Ijusthavetosetdownandthinkmyselfoutofit。IHAVEto。Iwasbuiltandlaunchedthatway，Iguess，andmaybeyou’llexcuseme。””Certainly，CaptainWarren。You’requiterightinwishingtodeliberateonsoimportantamatter。And，ifyouwillexcusemeinreturn，IbelieveIwillgotomyroom。I’vehadaratherwearingday。””Andadampevenin’。Yes，I’llexcuseandsympathizewithyou，too。I’llseeyoutoyourroom，andI’llhopeyou’llhaveconsider’blemoresleepthanI’mlikelytoget。Abbie！……
　　Abbie！……FetchMr。Graves’slamp，won’tyou，please？”
　　ItwasaftertwothenextmorningbeforeCaptainElisharosefromhischairbythefireandenteredhisbedchamber。Yet，whenAtwoodGravescamedowntobreakfast，hefoundhishostinthesittingroomawaitinghim。”AforewetackleAbbie’spancakesandfishballs，Mr。Graves，”saidthecaptain，”let’sgettherestofthatwillbusinessoffourminds。Thenwecanhavethepancakestotakethetasteoutofourmouths，asyoumightsay。Andletmeaskyouonemorequestion。
　　This——er——er——CarolineandStephen，they’reusedtolivin’prettywell——fashionablesociety，andthelikeofthat，hey？””Yes。TheirhomewasonFifthAvenue，andthefamilymovedinthebestcircles。””Hum！Ishouldimaginelifeontwenty-oddthousandayearmustbeprettymuchallcircles，oneeverlastin’’turnyourpartners。’
　　Well，Mr。Graves，mycirclesdownhereareconsider’blesmaller，buttheysuitme。I’mworthtwenty-oddthousandmyself，notinayear，butinalifetime。I’mselectmananddirectorinthebankandtrusteeofthechurch。WhenIholler’Boo，’theSouthDenborofolks——someofthem，anyhow——setupandtakenotice。Icanleadthegrandmarchdowninthisneighborhoodonceinawhile，andI
　　cal’lateI’mprettierleadin’itthanIwouldbedoin’asolitairejigfortwoyearsontheoutsideedgeofNewYork’sbestcircles。
　　AndI’mmightysureI’mmorewelcome。Nowmyeyesight’sstrongenoughtoseethroughatwo-footholeaftertheplug’sout，andI
　　canseethatyouand’Bije’schildrenwon’tshedtearsifIsaynotothatwill。Nooffensemeant，youknow；justcommonsense，that’sall。”
　　Thiswasplainspeaking。Mr。Gravescolored，thoughhedidn’tmeanto，andforoncecouldnotansweroffhand。”So，”continuedthecaptain，”I’lleaseyourandtheirmindsbysayin’that，thewayIfeelnow，Iprobablysha’n’tacceptthetrust。IPROBABLYsha’n’t。ButIwon’tsaysureIwon’t，because——
　　well，because’Bijewasmybrother；hewasthat，nomatterwhatourdiff’rencesmayhavebeen。AndIknow——IKNOWthattheremustbesomereasonbiggerthan’implicittrust’andtheotherMay-
　　basketsforhisappointin’meinhiswill。WhatthatreasonisI
　　DON’Tknow——yet。””Thenyouintend——？””Idon’tknowwhatIintend——intheend。Butforabeginnin’，I
　　cal’latetorundowntoNewYorksometimedurin’thenextweek，takeacruise’round，andsortoflookthingsover。”
　　CHAPTERIII”It’saboxofaplace，though，isn’tit，”declaredMr。StephenWarren，contemptuouslyglancingaboutthelibraryoftheapartment。”Abox，byGeorge！Ithinkit’sabloomingshamethatwehavetoputupwithit，Sis。”
　　Mr。Warrensprawledinthemostcomfortablechairintheroom，waslookingoutthroughthewindow，acrossthewind-sweptwidthofCentralParkWest，overtheknollsandvalleysoftheParkitself，nowbareoffoliageandsprinkledwithpatchesofsnow。Therewasadiscontentedlookonhisface，andhishandswerejammeddeepinhistrouserspockets。
　　Hissister，Caroline，satoppositetohim，alsolookingoutattheDecemberlandscape。She，too，wasdiscontentedandunhappy，thoughshetriednottoshowit。”Whydon’tyousaysomething，”snappedStephen，afteramomentofsilence。”ISN’Titaboxofaplace？Nowcome。””Yes，”repliedtheyounglady，withoutlookingatherbrother。”Yes，Steve，Isupposeitis。Butyoumustrememberthatwemustmakethebestofit。Ialwayswonderedhowpeoplecouldliveinapartments。NowIsupposeIshallhavetofindout。””Well，Imaintainthatwedon’thaveto。Wearen’tpaupers，eventhoughfatherwasn’tsowellfixedaseveryonethought。Withmanagementandcare，wecouldhavestayedintheoldhouse，I
　　believe，andkeptupappearances，atleast。What’stheuseofadvertisingthatwe’rebroke？””But，Steve，youknowMr。Gravessaid——””Oh，yes，Iknow。YouswallowedeverywordGravessaid，Caro，asifhewasthewholebookofProverbs。ByGeorge，_I_don’t；I’mfromMissouri。”
　　Mr。Warren，beingintheSophomoreclassatYale，wasoftheagewhenoneisconstitutionally”fromMissouri。”ProbablyKingSolomon，atsixty，haddoubtsconcerningthescopeanddepthofhiswisdom；ateighteenhewouldhaveadmitteditsall-embracinginfallibilitywithoutablush。”Itellyou，”continuedStephen，”there’snosenseinit，Sis。YouandIknowplentyofpeoplewhoseincomesarenolargerthanours。
　　Dothey’economize，’asGravesiscontinuallypreaching？Theydonot，publiclyatleast。Theymaysaveabit，hereandthere，buttheydoitwhereitdoesn’tshowandnobodyknows。TaketheBlaisdells，forinstance。WhentheSodalityBankwentup，andoldBlaisdelldied，everybodysaidthefamilywasdownandout。Theymusthavelostmillions。ButdidTHEYmoveinto’apartments’andputupaplacard，’HomeoftheDead-Brokes。WalkinandSympathize？’
　　Iguesstheydidn’t！Theywentintomourning，ofcourse，andthatletthemoutofentertainingandallthat，buttheystayedwheretheywereandkeptupthebluff。That’sthethingthatcountsinthisworld——keepingupthebluff。””Yes，buteveryoneknowstheyare——bluffing，asyoucallit。””Whatofit？Theydon’treallyknow，theyonlysuspect。AndImetJimBlaisdellyesterdayandheshookmyhand，afterIhadhelditinfrontofhiseyeswherehecouldn’thelpseeingit，andhadthenervetotellmehehopedthingsweren’tasbadwithusashehadheard。””IneverlikedtheBlaisdells，”declaredCaroline，indignantly。”NeitherdidI。Neitherdomostpeople。ButJimisjustasmuchintheswimasheeverwas，andhe’sgothisgovernor’splaceontheboardofdirectorsatthebank，nowthatit’sreorganized，andanofficedowntown，andhe’shandandglovewithVonBlarcomandalltherest。Theythinkhe’sapromising，pluckyyoungman。
　　They’llhelphisbluffthrough。Andarehismotherandsisterdroppedbythepeopleintheirset？Ihaven’tnoticedit。””Well，Mrs。CorcoranDunntoldmethateveryonewastalkingabouttheBlaisdellsandwonderinghowlongtheycouldkeepitup。Andthenewspapershavebeenprintingallsortsofthings，andhintingthatyoungMr。Blaisdell’sappointmentasdirector，afterhisfatherwreckedthebank，wasascandal。Atleast，wehaven’tTHAT
　　tobearupunder。Fatherwashonest，ifhewasn’trich。””Whocaresforthenewspapers？They’reallrunbydemagogueshuntingsensations。WhatmakesmefeeltheworstaboutallthisisthatStockExchangeseatoffather’s。IfIwereonlyofage，sothatIcouldgodownthereonthefloor，Itellyouitwouldn’tbelongbeforeyouandIwerebackwherewebelong，Sis。But，no，I’makid，soGravesthinks，inchargeofaguardian——aGUARDIAN，bygad！”
　　Hesnorted，inmanlyindignation。Caroline，herprettyfacetroubled，roseandwalkedslowlyacrosstheroom。Itwasalargeroom，inspiteofthefactthatitwasoneofasuiteinanapartmenthotel，andfurnishedrichly。A。RodgersWarrenspenthismoneywithtaste，andspentitfreelywhilehelived。Thefurniture，thepaintings，andbric-a-bracwereoftheverybest，chosenwithcare，hereandabroad。”Oh，dear！”sighedthegirl。”IdohopeMr。Graveswillbewellenoughtocallto-day。Heexpectedto。ExceptforthetelephonemessagetellingusthatthatMANatDenboro——””OurdearUncleElisha，”putinStephen，withsarcasm。”Uncle’’Lish！’Heavens！whataname！””Hush！Hecan’thelphisname。Andfather’swasworseyet——
　　Abijah！Thinkofit！””Idon’twanttothinkofit。Neitherdidthegovernor；that’swhyhedroppedit，Isuppose。JustwhatdidGravessay？Givemehisexactwords。””Hispartner，Mr。Kuhn，telephoned。HesaidthatMr。Graveshadabadcold，havingbeenwetthroughinadreadfulstormdownthereinthecountry。Thedoctorforbadehisleavingthehouseforadayortwo，buthewouldcallonTuesday——to-day——ifhewassufficientlyrecovered。AndMr。Kuhnsaidthateverythingwassatisfactory。
　　ThisCaptainWarren——ashipcaptain，Isupposeheis——would，inallprobability，refusetoaccepttheguardianshipandtherestofit——””Refuse？Ishouldthinkso。I’mjustascertainfatherwasinsanewhenhemadethatwillasIamthatI’malive。IfIthoughthewasn’t，I’dneverforgivehim。””Hush，Steve。Youpromisedmeyouwouldn’tspeakinthatway。””Well，allright，Iwon’t。But，Caro，heMUSThavebeeninsane。
　　Ifhewasn’t，doyousupposehewouldhaveputusandtheestateinthecareofaDown-Eastjay？It’sinconceivable！It’sridiculous！
　　Thinkofit。Supposethisuncleofourshadaccepted。Supposehehadcometotownhereandanyofourfriendshadmethim。’Thisisourguardian，CaptainWarren，ofPunkinCentre。’’Pleasetomeetye，’saysUncle’Lish。’How’staters？’Horrors！Say，Caro，youhaven’ttoldanyone，Malcolmorhismother，oranyone，haveyou？””Ofcoursenot，Steve。YouknowIwouldn’t。””Well，don’t。Theyneedn’tknowit，noworatanyothertime。
　　Graveswillprobablygethimselfappointed，andhe’srespectableifheisanoldfogy。We’llworryalongtillI’mtwenty-one，andthen——well，thenI’llhandleourbusinessmyself。”
　　Evidentlytherewasnoquestioninhismindastohisabilitytohandlethisoranybusiness，nomatterhowinvolved。Herosefromhischairandyawned。”It’sdeadlydull，”hecomplained。”Youdon’tneedme，doyou，Caro？IbelieveI’llgooutforawhile。Thatis，unlessyoureallycare。”
　　Hissisterhesitatedbeforereplying。Whenshespoke，therewasdisappointmentinhertone。”Why，Steve，”shesaid，”IdidhopeyoumightbeherewhenMr。
　　Gravescame。Hewillwishtospeakofimportantmatters，anditseemstomethatbothofusshouldhearwhathehastosay。”
　　YoungWarren，whohadstartedforthedoor，stoppedandkickedimpatientlyatthecornersoftherug。”Oh，WELL！”heobserved，”ifyouwantmeofcourseI’llstay。Butwhydoesn’toldGravescome，ifheiscoming。Maybehe’sundertheweatheryet，”headded，hopefully。”Perhapsheisn’tcomingatallto-day。IbelieveI’llcallupKuhnonthe’phoneandfindout。”
　　Hewasonhiswaytothetelephonewhenthedoorbellbuzzed。”Gad！thereheisnow，”heexclaimed。”NowIsupposeI’llhavetostay。We’llhearaboutdearUncle’Lish，won’twe？Oh，joy！”
　　Butthestaidbutler，whenheenteredthelibrary，didnotannouncethelawyer’sname。”Mrs。CorcoranDunnandMr。Malcolm，”hesaid。”Willyouseethem，MissCaroline？”
　　Theyounglady’sfacelitup。”Certainly，Edwards，”shesaid。”Showthem——Oh，Mrs。Dunn，I’msogladtoseeyou！ItwasEVERsogoodofyoutocome。AndMalcolm。”
　　Mrs。M。CorcoranDunnwastalland，inSouthDenboro，wouldhavebeencalled”fleshy，”inspiteofherownandthedressmaker’seffortstoconcealthefact。Shewaselaboratelygownedandfurred，andsomethingabouthercreakedwhenshewalked。Sherushedintotheroom，atthebutler’sheels，and，greetingCarolinewithoutstretchedhands，kissedhereffusivelyonthecheek。