He seemed to still hear her voice in the house and about it, and when he closed his eyes in sleep, after being utterly exhausted, he saw her sweet face bending over him and felt the sunshine of her smile on him.

It was so hard to realize that she was gone, and he could scarcely believe that he would not find her down on the beach gathering shells, as he had so often seen her.
Frequently when alone in the cabin he would start, half expecting to see her enter with her cheering smile; but she was gone forever; her sweet smiles and cheering voice would no more be heard on earth.
It required long months before he could settle down to that life of loneliness.

Hitherto he had not lived the life of a Crusoe or Selkirk; but now he was destined to know what real solitude was.

John Stevens at last began to take some interest in his domestic affairs.

He sadly missed the thousand little attentions which feminine instincts suggested for his comfort; but anon he became accustomed to being alone.