"Surely you know whom I am." "Yes, yes," struggling to regain her voice.

"I--know; but why are you here?
How long have you been here ?" "It is a story too complex to repeat," I said earnestly, "but I have been here since your father first came--don't blame me, for I couldn't get away." "Then--then you heard--" "Yes; I heard everything.

I tried not to; I pledge you my word it was all an accident.

I was here for another purpose, a military purpose.

I did not even know this was your home.