I found the stranger in conversation with Emily and Grace, with whom he seemed greatly interested. He was patting Emily’s cheek, and looking with an inquiring glance into her face, when I appeared.
Mr Hooker endeavoured to rise from his chair when the stranger entered.
“Is it possible?” he exclaimed, holding out both his hands.
“Hooker,” exclaimed the stranger, “I know you!”
“And Sedgwick,” answered the other, “in your somewhat out-of-the-way garb, I know you still, my friend—my master in science—my instructor in knowledge—”
The two friends eagerly shook hands, the stranger sinking down into a chair, and looking eagerly into Mr Hooker’s face.
“You will recover, never fear—you will recover,” he exclaimed. “You have had a touch of jungle fever; and if you can get on shore for a few days, and live in the open air, instead of in this confined cabin, you will quickly pick up your strength. But, Hooker, I had no idea you were married. Are these young people on board your children? and the lady on deck there, is she your wife?”
“No, no, no,” answered Mr Hooker. “The old Dutchwoman is the young girls’ governante. And it is extraordinary! Can you think who those children are?”
“Had I not seen the girl I might have been puzzled; for I cannot conjecture what has brought them out here,” and he turned round and looked at me. “Yes; I recognise his father too.—Is your father out in these parts?” he asked.
“No, sir,” I answered. “They are both dead.”