"Bless my soul, child, you're drenched! Did you come in an open carriage?
But why are you here?
Did you miss your train ?" Even as he spoke, before she silently shook her head, he knew she would have been back by noon had she missed her train.
Max had come and sniffed suspiciously at her skirts before he recognized her, and then he rubbed his head against her knee, and reached up to be patted.

She let her hand rest a moment on his head, and then with cold, stiff fingers tried to help her uncle take off her cloak, and lift her bonnet from her dripping hair.

She made no effort to wipe the rain from her face, and Dr.Howe, with his big handkerchief, tried clumsily to do it for her.
"What is the matter, my dear ?" the rector was saying nervously.

"Is anything wrong with Mr.Ward?
Have you had bad news?
Tell me, my darling; you distress me by your silence." Helen's throat seemed dry, and she moved her lips once or twice before the words came.

"I have come back," she answered slowly, looking with absent eyes at Max, who was furtively licking her hand.