“'Yes, monsieur, you are not mistaken.'
“Then he quickly rose and came toward me with hands outstretched:
“'Well, old man, how are you?'
“As I did not recognize him at all I was greatly embarrassed. I stammered:
“'Why-very well-and-you?'
“He began to laugh “'I bet you don't recognize me.'
“'No, not exactly. It seems—however—'
“He slapped me on the back:
“'Come on, no joking! I am Patience, Robert Patience, your friend, your chum.'
“I recognized him. Yes, Robert Patience, my old college chum. It was he. I took his outstretched hand: