But it was his forehead he rubbed with his handkerchief, not the glasses.
"You're--you're Abner Barnes' niece!" he said slowly.
"Yes--niece by marriage." "The one he used to talk so much about?
What was her name--Patience--Temp'rance--" "Thankful--that's my name.

I presume likely Uncle Abner did use to talk about me.

He always declared he thought as much of me as if I was his own child." There was an interval of silence.

Mr.Cobb replaced his spectacles and stared through them at his visitor.

His manner was peculiar--markedly so.
"I went mate for Cap'n Abner a good many v'yages," he said, after a moment.
"Yes, I know you did." "He--he told you so, I suppose." "Yes." "What else did he tell you; about--about me, I mean ?" "Why, nothin' 'special that I know of.