Verty alone saw the spasm which he had seen in the morning pass across the rugged brow.
While this colloquy had been going on, the Squire had gone into his apartment to wash his hands; and now issuing forth, requested an explanation of the argument he had heard going on.

This explanation was refused with great bearishness by the lawyer, and Redbud said they had only been talking about Providence.
The Squire said that was a good subject; and then going to his escritoire took out some papers, placed them on the mantel-piece, and informed Mr.Rushton that those were the documents he desired.
The lawyer greeted this information with his customary growl, and taking them, thrust them into his pocket.

He then made a movement to go; but the Squire persuaded him to stay and have a cup of tea.

Verty acquiesced in his suggestion that _he_ should spend the evening, with the utmost readiness--_ma mere_ would not think it hard if he remained an hour, he said.
And so the cheerful meal was cheerfully spread, and the twigs in the fire-place crackled, and diffused their brief, mild warmth through the cool evening air, and Caesar yawned upon the rug, and all went merrily.
The old time-piece overhead ticked soberly, and the soft face of Redbud's mother looked down from its frame upon them; and the room was full of cheerfulness and light.
And still the old clock ticked and ticked, and carried all the world toward eternity; the fire-light crackled, and the voices laughed;--the portrait looked serenely down, and smiled..