His niece saw it, understood, and came to his rescue.
"I think Captain Warren prefers to be excused," she said, smiling.

"He has a prejudice against automobiles." "No!" drawled Malcolm, the irrepressible.

"Not really?
Admiral, I'm surprised! In these days, you know!" "It ain't so much the automobiles," snapped Captain Elisha, irritation getting the better of his discretion, "as 'tis the devilish fools that--" "Yes?
Oh, all right, Mater." "That are careless enough to get in the way of them," finished the captain, with surprising presence of mind.

"Still, if Caroline wants to go--" "I have it!" exclaimed Mrs.Dunn.

"The young people shall go, and the others remain at home.