Not even Melinda came to enjoy it, for she was in Camden, visiting a schoolmate; and so the day passed drearily enough with all, and the autumnal night shut down again darker, gloomier than ever, as it seemed to Ethelyn.

She had seen no one but Mrs.Markham and Eunice since Richard went away, and she was wondering what had become of Andy, when she heard his shuffling tread upon the stairs, and a moment after, his round shining face appeared, asking if he might come in.
Andy wore his best clothes on this occasion, for an idea had somehow been lodged in his brain that Ethelyn liked a person well dressed, and he was much pleased with himself in his short coat and shorter pants, and the buff and white cotton cravat tied in a hard knot around his sharp, standing collar, which almost cut the bottom of his ears.
"I wished to see you," he said, taking a chair directly in front of Ethelyn and tipping back against the wall.

"I wanted to come before, but was afraid you didn't care to have me.

I've got something for you now, though--somethin' good for sore eyes.

Guess what 'tis ?" And Andy began fumbling in his pocket for the something which was to cheer Ethelyn, as he hoped.
"Look a-here.