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board and I had already made out Mr。 Porterfield at a distance。 He
was looking up at the side of the great vessel with disappointment
writtenfor my strained eyesin his face； disappointment at not
seeing the woman he had so long awaited lean over it and wave her
handkerchief to him。 Every one was looking at him； every one but
shehis identity flew about in a momentand I wondered if it didn't
strike him。 He used to be gaunt and angular； but had grown almost
fat and stooped a little。 The interval between us diminishedhe was
on the plank and then on the deck with the jostling agents of the
Customs； too soon for my equanimity。 I met him instantly； however；
to save him from exposurelaid my hand on him and drew him away；
though I was sure he had no impression of having seen me before。 It
was not till afterwards that I thought this rather characteristically
dull of him。 I drew him far awayI was conscious of Mrs。 Peck and
Mrs。 Gotch； looking at us as we passedinto the empty stale smoking…
room： he remained speechless； and that struck me as like him。 I had
to speak first； he couldn't even relieve me by saying 〃Is anything
the matter？〃 I broke ground by putting it； feebly； that she was ill。
It was a dire moment。
End