And he lifted his mug of mulled wine, and drank thoughtfully, and then crossed his legs again on the fender; and the rain beat and sobbed outside.
He wondered if Lois's pale face had any connection with the departure of the Forsythes.

Mrs.Dale had hinted at it, though she had not dared to quote Arabella Forsythe's triumphant secret.

Then he remembered how disappointed he had been that nothing came of that affair.

But on the whole it would have been very lonely at the rectory without Lois.

It was just as well.