These the captain decided should be placed in the center of the festive board.

As a center piece had been previously provided, there was more argument.

The cook took the butler's side in the debate, and the pair yielded only when Captain Elisha again dived into his pocket.
"But I warn you, all hands," he observed, "that this is the last time.
My right fist's got a cramp in it this minute, and you couldn't open it again with a cold chisel." At last, however, everything was as it should be, and he sat down in the library to await the coming of the young people.

The gold chain in its handsome leather case, the latter enclosed in the jeweler's box, was carefully laid beside Caroline's place at the table.

The dinner was ready, the cake, candles and all--the captain had insisted upon twenty candles--was ready, also.