She avoided him and, moving away, seated herself in a chair at the opposite side of the desk.

The avoidance was so obvious as to be almost brutal.

Captain Elisha looked very grave for an instant.

Then he changed the subject.
"I was lookin' at your oil paintin's," he said.

"They're pretty fine, ain't they?
Any of them your work, Caroline ?" "_My_ work ?" The girl's astonishment was so great that she turned to stare at her questioner.