," and handed him the sauce bottle, the bread, or
whatever she imagined he desired, as if she were offering sacrifice to
an idol.
She sat next to Captain Elisha and imparted information concerning her
lord and master in whispers, during the intervals between offerings.
"My husband will be pleased to meet you, Captain Warren," she murmured.
"Any friend of Mr. Pearson is certain to be an acquisition. Mr. Pearson
and my husband are congenial spirits; they are members of the same
profession."
"I want to know, ma'am."
"Yes. What is it, 'C.' dear? Oh, the butter! Margaret--" to the
waitress--"Mr. Dickens wishes another butter-ball. Yes, Captain Warren,
Mr. Dickens is an author. Haven't you noticed the--er--resemblance? It
is considered quite remarkable."
Captain Elisha looked puzzled. "Why," he said, "I hadn't noticed it
'special. Jim's--Mr. Pearson's--eyes and his are some the same color,
but--"
"Oh, no! not the resemblance to Mr. Pearson. I didn't mean THAT. The
resemblance to his more famous namesake. Surely you notice it NOW."
The captain shook his head. "I--I'm afraid I'm thick-headed, ma'am," he
admitted. "I'm out of soundin's."
"But the nose, and his beard, and his manner. Don't they remind you of
the English Dickens?"
"O-oh!" Captain Elisha inspected the great man with interest.
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