“Oh, if Charley would only come back! I’ve often thought since I’ve been here what a nice thing it would be if only you could see him. You couldn’t help loving him, he is so handsome; and I’ve often thought of what a beautiful couple you would be. La me, wouldn’t you shine, though, goin’ out together? But, la me, maybe he’s married afore this, or he may be dead. Oh, if I jest knew. What do you think? Do you suppose he’s dead?”
“Really, I have no way of knowing anything at all about it. He may be dead, or he may come back to you and make you happy the rest of your days.”
“You hain’t forgot what you promised, have you,” she said one day, “that you would try to help me to find him?”
“No, I have not forgotten.”
“P’r’aps you better keep his picture, or you might forget how he looks.”
“No, I shall not forget; I never forget a face which once I have seen.”
“And do you think you would know him if you should see him?”
“If he looks like his picture I shall certainly know him.”