His mind was busy too in shaping a certain resolution which he had often thought over during the last few months.
The two old people and Miss Kate Harston waited long and anxiously in their sitting-room at the hotel for some news of the absentee.

The doctor had, at first, attempted a lofty cynicism and general assumption of indifference, which rapidly broke down as the time went by, until at last he was wandering round the room, drumming upon the furniture with his fingers and showing every other sign of acute impatience.
The window was on the first floor, and Kate had been stationed there as a sentinel to watch the passing crowd and signal the first sign of tidings.
"Can't you see him yet ?" the doctor asked for the twentieth time.
"No, dear, I don't," she answered, glancing up and down the street.
"He must be out now.

He should have come straight to us.

Come away from the window, my dear.

We must not let the young monkey see how anxious we are about him." Kate sat down by the old man and stroked his broad brown hand with her tender white one.