'I have been at the choir-practice, so I thought I would call as I passed.' Of course I gave him a warm welcome, and he drew his chair to the opposite side of the fire, and declared he felt very comfortable: then he asked me why I was looking grave, and if I were tired of my solitude.
I disclaimed this indignantly, and gave him a sketch of my day's work, ending with my talk to Susan Locke.
He seemed interested, and listened attentively.
'It is such a sad case, Max,--poor Phoebe's, I mean,--but I am almost as sorry for her sister.

Susan Locke is such a good woman.' 'You would say so if you knew all, Ursula, but Miss Locke would never tell you herself.

When Phoebe's illness came on, and Hamilton told them that she might not get well for a year or two, or perhaps longer, Susan broke off her own engagement to stay with her sister.

Her father was just dead, and the child Kitty had to live with them.' 'Miss Locke engaged!' I exclaimed, in some surprise, for it had never struck me that the homely middle-aged woman had this sort of experience in her life.
Max looked amused.
'In that class they do not always choose youth and beauty.

Certainly Susan Locke was neither young nor handsome, but she was a neat-looking body, only she has aged of late.