Then she'll be able to judge without so much prejudice.
I told you I'd take the responsibility.

You leave the ship in my charge for a spell." In spite of this confident assertion, the captain also felt a trifle guilty.

He realized that selfishness was involved in his keeping Pearson's secret from his niece.

He was thoroughly enjoying himself with these two, and he could not bear to risk the breaking up which might follow disclosure.
One evening, while a "clinic" was in progress and the three were deep in consultation, Edwards entered to announce Mrs.Corcoran Dunn and Mr.Malcolm.The butler's giving the lady precedence in his announcing showed that he, too, realized who was ranking officer in that family, even though the captain's "conundrum" had puzzled him.

Mrs.Dunn and her son entered at his heels.
[Illustration: "She and the young man became better acquainted at each succeeding 'literary clinic.'"] The lady took in the group by the table at a glance: Pearson, with the manuscript in his hands; Captain Elisha leaning back in his chair, frowning at the interruption; Caroline rising to welcome the guests, and coloring slightly as she did so.