human
Yes, Miss, I expect my husband, said the woman in answer to a question.
gpt
He's coming home on sick-leave. I had a letter from him a good while ago saying he was coming home in the _Orontes_.
human
I hope you will find that the sea air has done him good, said the lady, in that tone of unobtrusive sympathy which is so powerfully attractive,--especially to those who are in trouble.
gpt
A sea voyage frequently has a wonderful effect in restoring invalids. What is his name?
human
Martin--Fred Martin. He's a corporal now.
gpt
You have not recognised him yet, I suppose?
human
Not yet, Miss, answered Mrs Martin, with an anxious look, and shivering slightly as she drew a thin worn shawl of many patches closer round her shoulders.
gpt
But he wouldn't expect me to meet him, you see, knowing that I'm so poor, and live far from Portsmouth. But I was so anxious, you see, Miss, that our kind Vicar gave me enough money to come down.
human
Where did you spend the night?
gpt
You see, Miss, she explained apologetically,
human
I didn't know a soul in the town, and I couldn't a-bear to go into any o' the public-houses; besides, I had no money, for the journey down took nearly all of it.
gpt
Oh, I am so sorry that you didn't know of our Institute, said the lady, with much sympathy in voice and look;
human
Indeed, Miss! I wish I had known of it. But in the morning I had the luck to meet a policeman who directed me to a coffee-tavern in a place called Nobbs Lane--you'll not know it, Miss, for it's in a very poor part o' the town--where I got a breakfast of as much hot pea-soup and bread as I could eat for three-ha'pence, an' had a good rest beside the fire too. They told me it was kept by a Miss Robinson. God bless her whoever she is! for I do believe I should have been dead by now if I hadn't got the rest and the breakfast.
gpt
Come with me; you are cold. I know Nobbs Lane well. We have a shed and fire here on the jetty to shelter people while waiting. There, you need not fear to miss your husband, for the men won't land for a long time yet.
human
May I follow you, madam? said Miles, stepping forward and touching his cap in what he supposed to be the deferential manner of a private soldier.
gpt
I am interested in your work, and would like to see the shed you speak of.
human
I saw you in the lobby of the Institute this morning, did I not?
gpt
You did, madam. I was waiting for a friend who is a frequenter of the Institute. One of your own people brought me down here to see the arrival of the _Orontes_, and the coffee-shed; but I have lost him in the crowd, and know not where the shed is.
human
Here it is, returned the lady, pointing to an iron structure just behind them.
gpt
You will find Mr Brown there busy with the coffee, and that small shed beside it is the shelter-room. You are welcome to inspect all our buildings at any time.