Perhaps!--perhaps Ruth told him something!--something he was keeping to himself! As this last thought forced itself into his brain a great surge of joy swept over him.

For a brief moment he stood irresolute.

One of Peter's phrases now rang clear: "Stoop a little!" Stoop ?--hadn't he done everything a man could do to win a woman, and had he not found the bars always facing him?
With this his heart sank again.

No, there was no use of thinking anything more about it, nor would he tell him.

There were some things that even Peter couldn't understand,--and no wonder, when you think how many years had gone by since he loved any woman.
The chime of the little clock rang out.
Jack turned quickly: "Eleven o'clock, Uncle Peter, and I must go; time's up.