ur fault," he said. "It was
mine entirely. I'm quite old enough to decide matters for myself, and I
should have decided as my reason, and not my inclinations, told me. You
weren't to blame."

"Yes, I was. If you're old enough, I'm _too_ old, I cal'late. But I did
think--However, there's no use goin' over that. I ask your pardon, Jim.
And you don't hold any grudge?"

"Indeed I don't. I may be a fool--I guess I am--but not that kind."

"Thanks. Well, there's one objection out of the way, then, only I don't
want you to think that I've hove overboard that 'responsibility' I was
so easy and fresh about takin' on my shoulders. It's there yet; and I'll
see you squared with Caroline afore this v'yage is over, if I live."

His friend frowned.

"You needn't mind," he said. "I prefer that you drop the whole miserable
business."

"Well, maybe, but--Jim, you've taken hold of these electric batteries
that doctors have sometimes? It's awful easy to grab the handles of one
of those contraptions, but when you want to drop 'em you can't. They
don't drop easy. I took hold of the handles of 'Bije's affairs, and,
though it might be pleasanter to drop 'em, I can't--or I won't."

"Then you're leaving your nephew and niece doesn't mean that you've
given up the guardianship?"

Captain Elisha's jaw set squarely.

"I don't remember sayin' that it did," he answered, with decision.
Then, his good-nature returning, he added, "And now, Jim, I'd like your
opinion of these new quarters that I may take. What do you think of 'em?
Come to the window and take a look at the scenery."

Pearson joined him at the window. The captain waved toward the
clothes-lines and grinned.

"Looks as if there was some kind of jubilee, don't it," he observed.
"Every craft in sight has strung the colors."

Pearson laughed. Then he said:

"Captain, I think the room will do. It isn't palatial, but one can live
in worse quarters, as I know from experience."

"Yup. Well, Jim, there's just one thing more. Have I disgraced you a
good deal, bein' around with you and chummin' in with you the way I
have? That is, do you _think_ I've disgraced you? Are you ashamed of
me?"

"I? Ashamed of _you_? You're joking!"

"No, I'm serious. Understand now, I'm not apologizin'. My ways are my
ways, and I think they're just as good as the next feller's, whether
he's from South Denboro or--well, Broad Street. I've got a habit of
thinkin' for myself and actin' for myself, and when