Henry Whitman awoke the next morning with sensations of delight and terror.

He found himself absolutely unable to rouse himself up to that pitch of courage necessary to tell Sylvia that he intended to return to his work in the shop.

He said to himself that it would be better to allow it to become an accomplished fact before she knew it, that it would be easier for him.

Luckily for his plans, the family breakfasted early.
Directly after he had risen from the table, Henry attempted to slip out of the house from the front door without Sylvia's knowledge.

He had nearly reached the gate, and had a sensation of exultation like a child playing truant, when he heard Sylvia's voice.
"Henry!" she called.