I am in the habit of boarding at a quiet house kept by a
widow. Her terms are reasonable, and you can do no better than go there
with me."
"Thank you, Captain Smith. I shall be glad to follow your advice."
So it happened that Captain Smith and Robert engaged board at the house
of Mrs. Start, where, it will be remembered, that Captain Rushton was
also a boarder, passing still under the name of Smith. Physically he had
considerably improved, but mentally he was not yet recovered. His mind
had received a shock, which, as it proved, a shock equally great was
needed to bring it back to its proper balance.
"By the way," said Mrs. Start to Captain Smith, "we have another
gentleman of your name here."
"Indeed?"
"You will see him at dinner. Poor gentleman, his mind is affected, and
we only gave him this name because we didn't know his real name."
Robert little dreamed who it was of whom Mrs. Start was speaking, nor
did he look forward with any particular curiosity to seeing the other
Mr. Smith.
When dinner was announced, Robert and the captain were early in their
seats, and were introduced to the other boarders as they came in.
Finally Captain Rushton entered, and moved forward to a seat beside the
landlady. Robert chanced to look up as he entered, and his heart made a
mighty bound when in the new Mr. Smith he recognized his father.
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