It was easily understood.

She had married at sixteen, and had been left a widow little more than a year afterward.

"And I," he used to think, "was born with an old head on my shoulders; so we have grown up together.

I suppose the dear soul never had a thought in her life which she has not told me." As they sat together a steward brought Mrs.Waldeaux a note, which she read, blushing and smiling.
"The captain invites us to sit at his table," she said, when the man was gone.
"Very proper in the captain," said George complacently.

"You see, Madam Waldeaux, even the men who go down in ships have heard of you and your family!" "I don't believe the captain ever heard of me," she said, after a grave consideration, "nor of the Waldeaux.