"Two out of three," said Jack, audibly.
"What's that, Jack ?" said Brown.
"Nothing." Then Jack tried his hand with dice; but he always threw sixes, and his imaginary opponent aces.

The force of habit is sometimes confusing.
Meanwhile, some magnetic influence in Mr.Hamlin's presence, or the anodyne of liquor, or both, brought surcease of sorrow, and Brown slept.
Mr.Hamlin moved his chair to the window, and looked out on the town of Wingdam, now sleeping peacefully--its harsh outlines softened and subdued, its glaring colors mellowed and sobered in the moonlight that flowed over all.

In the hush he could hear the gurgling of water in the ditches, and the sighing of the pines beyond the hill.

Then he looked up at the firmament, and as he did so a star shot across the twinkling field.

Presently another, and then another.