"And the mother——" The doctor paused.
"She only libed fo' two days. She died up to de house, leabin' de boy to Mrs. Ruthven. De missus promised to look after de boy as her own—an' she has gone dun it, too, sah."
"Then Mrs. Ruthven doesn't know whose son he really is?"
"No, sah. De boy's mammy couldn't tell nuffin, she was so much hurt."
"But what of the boy's father?"
"He was drowned wid de rest ob de passengers."
"Hard luck—for the boy." The surgeon continued to pace the floor.
"By the way, what is your name?" he asked presently.
"Ben, sah."
"There is a dollar for you."