He couldn't work the catch for a minute; but before I got to the foot of the steps he managed to turn it and open the door.

He went out before I could think what to say to him, he was in such a hurry.

I guess everything was so confused you didn't notice--but he's certainly gone." Mrs.Schofield turned to her husband.
"But I thought he was going to stay to dinner!" she cried.
Mr.Schofield shook his head, admitting himself floored.

Later, having mentally gone over everything that might shed light on the curious behaviour of old Joe, he said, without preface: "He wasn't at all dissipated when we were in college." Mrs.Schofield nodded severely.

"Maybe this was just the best thing could have happened to him, after all," she said.
"It may be," her husband returned.