"I haven't made such a good dinner these ten years past!" Yet it was growing late, and she wanted to send her boy off for fear he should be suspected of all sorts of things.

But he kept declaring that he had plenty of time to spare.

For the matter of that, his clothes were not drying well, and Zoe averred that it would take an hour longer at least, and as she was dropping with sleep after the fatigues of the journey, they sent her off to bed.

After which they were alone in the silent house.
It was a very charming evening.

The fire was dying out amid glowing embers, and in the great blue room, where Zoe had made up the bed before going upstairs, the air felt a little oppressive.