"I—I once knew a Mr. Wood, but it is a long time since I have seen him. It—it can't be that you—that you know him—I should like very much to see him," she said, glancing with a sort of affectionate apprehension at little Jim, who stood near me.
"Perhaps fifteen years of wear and tear has been more severe on me than it has on yourself. It has laid a kindly hand on you, but if you can imagine me as divested of this ancient coat and transfer these whiskers to the bare spot on my head it may help you some," I said, trying to get into lighter vein.
"Then you are——" she hesitated, almost devouring me with her astonished eyes, "can it be possible you are the Mr. Wood I once knew, the friend——"
"Yes; quite the same," I interrupted, in order to allow her plenty of time in which to control herself.
"Have you—have you any news? I should like to see you alone, Mr. Wood," she requested, looking at little Jim in a frightened way.
"It isn't necessary. This little girl and I are very good friends. She can hear everything. In fact, I want her to," I replied, drawing little Jim down on a hassock beside me, "I have important news for you," I added, looking full at the wonderful, sweet, earnest and time-refined Norma Byng.
"Tell me—tell me quickly. I don't care if the whole world hears—is he alive and—is he well?" she asked excitedly, her bosom rising spasmodically with the deep breathing of intense excitement.
"Yes, I will tell you, but you must be calm, and control yourself. You may be put to a terrible test with the possibility of failure. And you, little girl, must pay close attention and not miss a single word," said I, laying my hand on little Jim's shoulder, who was wide-eyed in wonder at the turn of things.
"Your husband, Howard, has returned after having completely rehabilitated his magnificent self in all ways. He has even regained control of his property, his plant in Georgia, and completely recovered from a state of practical insanity that held him for several years—but he has not recovered wholly from the shock given him by this man Ramund——"