But the old man, who had not seen me at first, helped him out by coming forward and saying to me in a kind tone: "Pray pardon me, for I did not notice that Dick, who is big enough to hide anybody, you know, had brought a friend with him.

A most hearty welcome to you! All the more, as I almost hope that you are going to amuse an old man by giving him news from over sea, for I can see that you are come from over the water and far off countries." He looked at me thoughtfully, almost anxiously, as he said in a changed voice, "Might I ask you where you come from, as you are so clearly a stranger ?" I said in an absent way: "I used to live in England, and now I am come back again; and I slept last night at the Hammersmith Guest House." He bowed gravely, but seemed, I thought, a little disappointed with my answer.

As for me, I was now looking at him harder than good manners allowed of; perhaps; for in truth his face, dried-apple-like as it was, seemed strangely familiar to me; as if I had seen it before--in a looking- glass it might be, said I to myself.
"Well," said the old man, "wherever you come from, you are come among friends.

And I see my kinsman Richard Hammond has an air about him as if he had brought you here for me to do something for you.

Is that so, Dick ?" Dick, who was getting still more absent-minded and kept looking uneasily at the door, managed to say, "Well, yes, kinsman: our guest finds things much altered, and cannot understand it; nor can I; so I thought I would bring him to you, since you know more of all that has happened within the last two hundred years than any body else does .-- What's that ?" And he turned toward the door again.