"I like you next to mamma; even better than Auntie Oliver.

I printed a letter to her the other day.

I told her you were better than we expected and I had decided to live with you always." Captain Cy was startled.

Considering that, only the day before, he had repeated to Bailey the declaration that the arrangement was but temporary, and that Betsy Howes was escaping responsibility only for a month or so, he scarcely knew what to say.
"Humph!" he grunted.

"You've decided it, have you?
Well, we'll see.