g man did not appear in the slightest
degree nervous. The memory of his recent interview with Captain Elisha
did not embarrass him, outwardly at least, half as much as it did the
captain. He declared that old Pat's death was beastly hard luck, but
accidents were bound to happen. It was a shame, and all that. "If
there's anything the mater and I can do, Caroline, call on us, of
course."

"Yes, do, Caroline," concurred his mother. "However, one must be
philosophic in such cases. It is a mercy that people in their station do
not feel grief and loss as we do. Providence, in its wisdom, has limited
their susceptibilities as it has their intelligence. Don't you agree
with me, Captain Warren?"

"Sartin!" was the prompt reply. "It's always a comfort to me, when I go
fishin', to know that the fish ain't got so much brains as I have. The
hook hurts, I presume likely, but they ain't got the sense to realize
what a mean trick's been played on 'em. The one that's caught's dead,
and them that are left are too busy hustlin' for the next meal to waste
much time grievin'. That eases my conscience consider'ble."

Caroline seemed to be the only one who appreciated the sarcasm in this
observation. She frowned slightly. Mrs. Corcoran Dunn tolerantly smiled,
and her son laughed aloud.

"Say, Admiral," he commented, "when it comes to philosophy you go some
yourself, don't you?"

"Um-hm. I can be as philosophical about other folk's troubles as anybody
I ever see." Then, with an involuntary chuckle of admiration at the
young gentleman's coolness, he added, "That is, anybody I ever see afore
I come to New York."

Malcolm opened his mouth to reply, but closed it again. The captain,
noticing his change of purpose and following the direction of his look,
saw Mrs. Dunn shake her head in sharp disapproval. He ate the remainder
of his salad in silence, but he thought a good deal.

"And now," said Mrs. Dunn, rising and leading the way to the
drawing-room, "we must all go for a motor ride. Everyone rides on Sunday
afternoon," she explained, turning to her male guest.

The distressed look returned to Captain Elisha's face. His niece saw it,
understood, and came to his rescue.

"I think Captain Warren prefers to be excused," she said, smiling. "He
has a prejudice against automobiles."

"No!" drawled Malcolm, the irrepressible. "Not really? Admiral, I'm
surprised! In these days, you know!"

"It ain't so much the automobiles," snapped Captain