By ones and twos the fragments drifted to the breakfast table.

Barrow tried to bring Tracy in; but he said: "Not yet, Barrow--presently." Mrs.Marsh and Hattie tried, offering gentle and kindly persuasions; but he said; "I would rather wait--till he comes." Even old Marsh began to have suspicions that maybe he had been a trifle too "brash," as he called it in the privacy of his soul, and he pulled himself together and started toward Tracy with invitation in his eyes; but Tracy warned him off with a gesture which was quite positive and eloquent.

Then followed the stillest quarter of an hour which had ever been known in that house at that time of day.

It was so still, and so solemn withal, that when somebody's cup slipped from his fingers and landed in his plate the shock made people start, and the sharp sound seemed as indecorous there and as out of place as if a coffin and mourners were imminent and being waited for.

And at last when Brady's feet came clattering down the stairs the sacrilege seemed unbearable.
Everybody rose softly and turned toward the door, where stood Tracy; then with a common impulse, moved a step or two in that direction, and stopped.