She gained time, however, and was listening for Marvin's footstep on the gravel all the while.
Sep found the matches--and it chanced that there was a sufficiency of oil in his lantern.

He lighted up and went away, leaving an abominable smell of untrimmed wick behind him.
It was tea-time, and, half a century ago, that meal was a matter of greater importance than it is to-day.

A fire burned in the dining-room, glowing warmly on the mellow walls and gleaming furniture; but there was no lamp, nor need of one, in a room with large windows facing the sunset sky.
Miriam led the way into this room, and lifted the shining, old-fashioned kettle to the hob.

She took a chair that stood near, and sat, with her shoulder turned toward him, looking into the fire.
"We will have tea as soon as they come in," she said, in that voice of camaraderie which speaks of a life-long friendship between a man and a woman--if such a friendship be possible.

Is it ?--who knows?
"They will not be long, I am sure.