make consider'ble shine with brass when you're
dealin' with nigh-sighted folks ... and children."

To this indirect reference to Miss Warren and her brother Pearson made
no reply. The pair conversed freely on other subjects, but each avoided
this one. The novel, too, was laid on the shelf for the present. Its
author had not yet mustered sufficient courage to return to it. Captain
Elisha once or twice suggested a session with "Cap'n Jim," but, finding
his suggestions received with more or less indifference, did not press
them. His mind was busy with other things. A hint dropped by Sylvester,
the lawyer, was one of these. It suggested alarming possibilities, and
his skepticism concerning the intrinsic worth of his inherited "crown"
was increased by it.

He paid frequent visits to the offices of Sylvester, Kuhn, and Graves in
Pine Street. Upon the senior partner, whom he esteemed and trusted not
only as a business adviser but a friend, he depended for information
concerning happenings at the Warren apartment.

Caroline sent him regular statements of her weekly expenditures, also
bills for his approval, but she had written him but once, and then only
a brief note. The note brought by a messenger, accompanied a
package containing the chain which he and Pearson selected with such
deliberation and care at the Fifth Avenue jeweler's. Under the existing
circumstances, the girl wrote, she felt that she did not wish to accept
presents from him and therefore returned this one. He was alone when the
note and package came and sat by the window of his room, looking out at
the dismal prospect of back yards and clothes-lines, turning the leather
case over and over in his hands. Perhaps this was the most miserable
afternoon he had spent since his arrival in the city. He tried to
comfort himself by the exercise of his usual philosophy, but it was cold
comfort. He had no right to expect gratitude, so he told himself, and
the girl undoubtedly felt that she was justified in her treatment of
him; but it is hard to be misunderstood and misjudged, even by one whose
youth is, perhaps, an excuse. He forgave Caroline, but he could not
forgive those who were responsible for her action.

After Pearson had departed, on the morning when the conversation dealing
with Mrs. Van Winkle Ruggles and her change of attitude took place,
Captain Elisha put on his hat and coat and started for his lawyer's
office. Sylvester was glad to see him and invited him