“Yes, sir.”
“Beg pardon for seeming to be impertinent, but are you Miles Mackenzie’s son?”
“I am.”
“Just arrived from foreign ports?”
“Exactly!”
“I’ve often heard your father speak of you. And now I look at you, I think you resemble him somewhat.”
“Is that so?”
“You weren’t expected, I suppose?”
“Well, no. That is why I want to brush up a little before I go to the house and surprise him. So I just stopped in. Can you give me a room with plenty of soap, water and towels?”
The poor landlord was growing very nervous.