The brief recital had interested his auditors, but the ensuing pause was rather embarrassing.
"I suppose you have been visiting relatives of your parents," remarked Uncle John, to ease the situation.
"They--had no relatives that I know of," he returned.

"I am quite alone in the world.

You must not suppose I am unaccustomed to the water," he hastened to add, as if to retreat from an unpleasant subject.

"At Sangoa I have bathed in the sea ever since I can remember anything; but--I am not in good health.

I suffer from indigestion, a chronic condition, which is my incubus.