Amias, without a word, lighted the lamp and placed the tray beside him.

"Verity sends her love, and says you must eat your supper," was all he ventured to say, but his large hand rested kindly on Malcolm's shoulder for a moment.
Malcolm tried to thank him, but the words would not come.

But when his friend had left the room he suddenly covered his face with his hands and cried like a child.

"Elizabeth--Elizabeth!" but there was no response; only a sleepy bird stirred in the shrubbery.

In spite of his great intimacy with the Kestons and his very real friendship, Malcolm did not confide in either of them.