ongue," said the old lady.

"Look at me!" commanded Mr. Davis, sternly. "Look at me straight in the
eye."

"Don't talk nonsense," said the other, sharply. "Look you in the eye,
indeed! I don't want to look in your eye. What would people think?"

"Let 'em think wot they like," said Mr. Davis, recklessly. "This is a
nice home-coming after being away thirty-five years."

"Most of it on a desert island," put in Mr. Wotton, pathetically.

"And now I've come back," resumed Mr. Davis; "come back to stop."

He hung his cap on a vase on the mantelpiece that reeled under the shock,
and, dropping into his chair again, crossed his legs and eyed her
sternly. Her gaze was riveted on his dilapidated boots. She looked up
and spoke mildly.

"You're not my husband," she said. "You've made a mistake--I think you
had better go."

"Ho!" said Mr. Davis, with a hard laugh. "Indeed! And 'ow do you know
I'm not?"

"For the best of reasons," was the reply. "Besides, how can you prove
that you are? Thirty-five years is a long time."

"'Specially on a desert island," said Mr. Wotton, rapidly. "You'd be
surprised 'ow slow the time passes. I was there with 'im, and I can lay
my hand on my 'art and assure you that that is your husband."

"Nonsense!" said the old lady, vigorously. "Rubbish!"

"I can prove it," said Mr. Davis, fixing her with a glittering eye. "Do
you remember the serpent I 'ad tattooed on my leg for a garter?"

"If you don't go at once," said the old lady, hastily, "I'll send for the
police."

"You used to admire it," said Mr. Davis, reproachfully. "I remember
once----"

"If you say another word," said the other, in a fierce voice, "I'll send
straight off for the police. You and your serpents! I'll tell my
husband of you, that's what I'll do."

"Your WHAT?" roared Mr. Davis, springing to his feet.

"My husband. He won't stand any of your nonsense, I can tell you. You'd
better go before he comes in."

"O-oh," said Mr. Davis, taking a long breath. "Oh, so you been and got
married again, 'ave you? That's your love for your husband as was cast
away while trying to earn a living for you. That's why you don't want
me, is it? We'll see. I'll wait for him."

"You don't know what you're talking about," said the other, with great
dignity. "I've only been married once."

Mr. Davis passed the back of his hand across his eyes in a dazed fashion
and stared at her.

"Is--is somebody passing h