er at them when they are kind to us and even try to be kind to
you? No, he did not! Oh, I'm sick of it all! your deceit and your
hypocritical speeches and your pretended love for us. _Love_! Oh, if I
could say something that would make you understand how thoroughly we
despise you, and how your presence, ever since you forced it upon Steve
and me, has disgraced us! If I only could! I--I--"

She had been near to tears ever since Mrs. Corcoran Dunn, in the
kindness of her heart, told her the "truth" that afternoon. But pride
and indignation had prevented her giving way. Now, however, she broke
down.

"Oh--oh, Steve!" she cried, and, turning to her brother, sobbed
hysterically on his shoulder. "Oh, Steve, what shall we do?"

Stephen put his arm about her waist. "It's all right, Sis," he said
soothingly. "Don't cry before _him_! I guess," with a glance at his
uncle, "you've said enough to make even him understand--at last."

Captain Elisha looked gravely at the pair. "I guess you have," he said
slowly. "I guess you have, Caroline. Anyhow, I can't think offhand of
anything you've left out. I could explain some things, but what's the
use? And," with a sigh, "you may be right in a way. Perhaps I shouldn't
have come here to live. If you'd only told me plain afore just how you
felt, I'd--maybe I'd--but there! I didn't know--I didn't know. You see,
I thought.... However, I guess that part of your troubles is over. But,"
he added, firmly, "wherever I am, or wherever I go, you must understand
that I'm your guardian, just the same. I considered a long spell afore I
took the place, and I never abandoned a ship yet, once I took command of
her. And I'll stick to this one! Yes, sir! I'll stick to it in spite of
the devil--or the Dunns, either. Till you and your brother are of age
I'm goin' to look out for you and your interests and your money; and
nothin' nor nobody shall stop me. As for forcin' my company on you,
though, that well, that's different. I cal'late you won't have to worry
any more. Good night."

He thrust his hands into his pockets and walked slowly from the library.

CHAPTER XIV

Stephen, the "man of the family," was the only member of the household,
servants excepted, who slept soundly that night. Conscious of having
done his duty in the affair with Pearson and his guardian, and somewhat
fatigued by the disagreeable task of soothing his hysterical sister, he
was slumbering peacefully at nine the next morning