'But suppose Uncle Jeremiah were to return?'
'He won't return. He cannot. He is drowned.'
'But the body has not been recovered.'
'Nor will it be; it has been washed down into the ocean.'
'Rather you than I sleep in his room,' said Lambert.
After a slight hesitation Mrs. Sidebottom said, in a low, confiding tone, 'I have found his keys. He left them in his dress-coat pocket. Now you see the necessity there is for me to be on the spot. I must have a search for the will.' Then she drew a long breath, and said, 'Now, Lamb, there is some chance of my heart's desire being accomplished. You will be able to drop one of your n's.'
'Drop what, mother?'
'Drop one of the n's in the spelling of your name. I have never liked the double n in Pennycomequick. It will seem more distinguished to spell the name with one n.'
The captain yawned and walked to the door.
'That is all one to me. I don't suppose that one n will bring me more money than two. By the way, have you written to Philip?'