She wandered aimlessly from fire to window and back again.

They talked a little, speculating as to what was happening, and what they should hear, and Jessie lit the lamps as soon as the dimness gave her the slightest excuse.

A great dread of troubles and changes, and they knew not what else, filled them both.
Fortunately the suspense did not last very long.

Before two hours had passed they heard footsteps coming up the path to the house.
Jessie knew them, and flew out to meet her mother.

Miss Patch stirred the fire into a cheerful blaze, then smiled to herself at the uselessness of her own act.