'This is a home to suit me,' thought the captain, and, hearing the girl singing either next door or downstairs, he fell a-musing.
The maidservant, answering his bell, brought him the commander's razor and some hot water, and in twenty minutes he was downstairs. The house door was open, and the commander walked up and down his lawn, smoking a pipe of Dutch pattern. He showed himself by daylight as a man of strong features, heavily bronzed, as by years of travel. His eyes were a keen blue, and deep set, and his mouth a curl, the under lip slightly protruding.
'Good-morning, sir!' he exclaimed to the captain. 'I hope you slept well.'
The usual civilities were exchanged.
'Breakfast will be ready when my daughter is pleased to appear. She is risen,' said the commander.
'I have been listening to her charming voice. Is she your only child, sir?'
'I lost a promising young son in the navy eight years ago,' answered the commander.
'I served as midshipman in the navy,' exclaimed Captain Jackman.
'Oh!' said the commander, with sudden interest. 'What ship and captain, sir?'