He had waited for six weeks, going through tortures of Joan-sickness that were agonizing.

He had asked her to do what she could for him in the way of a little kindness, but had not received one single line.

He was prepared to continue to wait because he knew his love to be so great that it must eventually catch hold of her like the licking flame of a prairie fire.

It staggered him to arrive at the Hosacks' place and find her fooling with a smooth-faced lad.

It outraged him to be left cold, as though he were a mere member of the house party and watch her to whom he had thrown open his soul go joy-riding with a cursed boy.