"You say you recognize me as your wife?" said the old lady.

"Certainly," said Mr. Davis, hotly.

"It's very curious," said the other--"very. But are you sure? Look
again."

Mr. Davis thrust his face close to hers and stared hard. She bore his
scrutiny without flinching.

"I'm positive certain," said Mr. Davis, taking a breath.

"That's very curious," said the old lady; "but, then, I suppose we are a
bit alike. You see, Mrs. Davis being away, I'm looking after her house
for a bit. My name happens to be Smith."

Mr. Davis uttered a sharp exclamation, and, falling back a step, stared
at her open-mouthed.

"We all make mistakes," urged Mr. Wotton, after a long silence, "and
Ben's sight ain't wot it used to be. He strained it looking out for a
sail when we was on that desert----"

"When--when'll she be back?" inquired Mr. Davis, finding his voice at
last.

The old lady affected to look puzzled. "But I thought you were certain
that I was your wife?" she said, smoothly.