up such a rattling that you never can tell how loud you _are_ speaking.
Did I understand you to say that you were from California?

THE CALIFORNIAN. Yes, ma'am.

MRS. ROBERTS. San Francisco?

THE CALIFORNIAN. Yes, ma'am.

MRS. ROBERTS. Thanks. It's a terribly long journey, isn't it? I know
quite how to feel for you. I've a brother myself coming on. In fact we
expected him before this. [She scans his face as sharply as the lamp-
light will allow, and continues, after a brief hesitation.] It's always
such a silly question to ask a person, and I suppose San Francisco is a
large place, with a great many people always coming and going, so that it
would be only one chance in a thousand if you did.

THE CALIFORNIAN (patiently). Did what, ma'am?

MRS. ROBERTS. Oh, I was just wondering if it was possible--but of course
it isn't, and it's very flat to ask--that you'd ever happened to meet my
brother there. His name is Willis Campbell.

THE CALIFORNIAN (with more interest). Campbell? Campbell? Yes, I know
a man of that name. But I disremember his first name. Little low
fellow--pretty chunky?

MRS. ROBERTS. I don't know. Do you mean short and stout?

THE CALIFORNIAN. Yes, ma'am.