[Delphine-dvlpt] wish

[Monhollen A. <pig...@sk...>]

Wyer's hesitancy and annoyance was plainly evident. "No-o. Of course,
that _might_ be done. Still, I--" "You think that wouldn't cause no
more rejoicin' than some other things have? Yes, yes;
I cal'late I understand, Mr. Graves. Well, I guess you'll have to give
me

to-night to chew over this. I guess you will. It's come on me so
sudden, 'Bije's death and all, that I want to be by myself and think. I
don't want to seem unsociable or lackin' in hospitality. The whole
house is yours. Help yourself to it. But when I'm caught in a clove
hitch, I just have to set down and think
myself out of it. I _have_ to. I was built
and launched

that way, I guess,

and maybe you'll excuse me." "Certainly, Captain Warren. You're quite
right in wishing to deliberate on so
important a matter. And, if you will excuse me in return, I believe I
will go to my room. I've had a rather wearing day." "And a damp
evenin'.
Yes, I'll excuse and sympathize with you, too. I'll see you to your
room, and I'll hope you'll have consider'ble
more sleep than I'm likely to get. Abbie!... Abbie!... Fetch Mr.
Graves's lamp, won't you, please?" It was after

two the next morning before Captain Elisha rose
from his chair by the fire and entered his bed chamber. Yet, when
Atwood Graves came down to breakfast, he found his host in the sitting
room awaiting
him. "Afore we tackle
Abbie's pancakes and fishballs, Mr. Graves," said the captain, "let's
get the rest of that will business off our minds. Then we can have
the pancakes to take the taste out of our mouths, as you might say. And
let me ask you one more question. This--er--er--Caroline and Stephen,
they're used to livin' pretty well--fashionable society, and the like
of that, hey?"
"Yes. Their