She herself to-day wouldn't know him." She gave a small gasp.

"His own mother wouldn't-- ?" His headshake just failed of sharpness.

"No, nor he her.

There's a link missing." Then as if after all she might take him too seriously, "Of course it's I," he more gently moralised, "who have lost the link in my sleep.

I've slept half the century--I'm Rip Van Winkle." He went back after a moment to her question.