expressing the polite
hope that he was better. The worried look in her face, and the obvious
stains of recent tears upon her cheeks imparted an added point and
fervor to these inquiries, but she replied to all in tones of
studied tranquillity that, although not feeling well enough to attend
prayer-meeting, Brother Ware was steadily recovering strength, and
confidently expected to be in complete health by Sunday. They left her,
and could hardly wait to get into the vestibule to ask one another in
whispers what on earth she could have been crying about.

Meanwhile Brother Ware improved his convalescent state by pacing slowly
up and down under the elms on the side of the street opposite the
Catholic church. There were no houses here for a block and more; the
sidewalk was broken in many places, so that passers-by avoided it; the
overhanging boughs shrouded it all in obscurity; it was preeminently a
place to be alone in.

Theron had driven to the depot with his guests an hour before, and after
a period of pleasant waiting on the platform, had said good-bye to
them as the train moved away. Then he turned to Alice, who had also
accompanied them in the carriage, and was conscious of a certain
annoyance at her having come. That long familiar talk of the afternoon
had given him the feeling that he was entitled to bid farewell to Sister
Soulsby--to both the Soulsbys--by himself.

"I am afraid folks will think it strange--neither of us attending the
prayer-meeting," he said, with a suggestion of reproof in his tone, as
they left the station-yard.

"If we get back in time, I'll run in for a minute," answered Alice, with
docility.

"No--no," he broke in. "I'm not equal to walking so fast. You run on
ahead, and explain matters, and I will come along slowly."

"The hack we came in is still there in the yard," the wife suggested.
"We could drive home in that. I don't believe it would cost more than a
quarter--and if you're feeling badly--"

"But I am NOT feeling badly," Theron replied, with frank impatience.
"Only I feel--I feel that being alone with my thoughts would be good for
me."

"Oh, certainly--by all means!" Alice had said, and turned sharply on her
heel.

Being alone with these thoughts, Theron strolled aimlessly about, and
did not think at all. The shadows gathered, and fireflies began to
disclose their tiny gleams among the shrubbery in the gardens.
A lamp-lighter came along, and passed him, leaving in his wake a