But it seemed to take so long to make the Admiral here understand that I was goin' to wait until Caroline came back that I thought I'd save time and breath by provin' it to him.

I didn't know there was any company.

Excuse me, ma'am, I won't bother you.

I'll just come to anchor out here in the entry.

Don't mind me." He bowed politely, picked up the large suit-case, plainly bran-new, which he had momentarily placed on the rug at his feet, and, with it in one hand and a big soft felt hat in the other, stepped back into the hall out of sight.