He was preoccupied, said but little, and spent the forenoon in writing a second letter to Miss Abigail.

In it he told of his experience on board the _Empress of the Ocean_ and of the luncheon at the Central Club.

But he said nothing concerning his nephew and niece further than the statement that he was still getting acquainted, and that Caroline was a real nice looking girl.
"I suppose you wonder what I've decided about taking the guardianship," he added, just at the close.

"Well, Abbie, I'm about in the position of Luther Sylvester when he fell off the dock at Orham.

The tide was out, and he went into the soft mud, all under.