This bell made him feel rather more a countryman than ever.
The door was opened by a tall gaunt woman, who stood in black relief against the radiance of the hall-way while Theron, choosing his words with some diffidence, asked if the Rev.Mr.Forbes was in.
"He is" came the hush-voiced answer.

"He's at dinner, though." It took the young minister a second or two to bring into association in his mind this evening hour and this midday meal.

Then he began to say that he would call again--it was nothing special--but the woman suddenly cut him short by throwing the door wide open.
"It's Mr.Ware, is it not ?" she asked, in a greatly altered tone.

"Sure, he'd not have you go away.

Come inside--do, sir!--I'll tell him." Theron, with a dumb show of reluctance, crossed the threshold.