Joe Ellison had been pulling tiny weeds that were daring to attempt to get a start in a rose-garden.

Larry's mind had halted a moment upon Joe.

Here at least was a contented man: one who, no matter what happened, would remain in ignorance of possibly great events which would intimately concern him.

Then Larry had left the window and had returned to his thoughts of Maggie.
But Larry's thoughts were not to remain exclusively with Maggie for long.

Shortly after six Judkins entered and announced that a man was at the door with a message.