Ruth was wife of a missionary in some land of swamps; doomed by climate, but of spirit indomitable.

It seemed strange that Hugh, at five and thirty, had done nothing particular.

Perhaps his income explained it--too small for traditional purposes, just large enough to foster indolence.

For Hugh had not even followed up his promise of becoming an explorer; he had merely rambled, mostly in pursuit of fowl or quadruped.

When he married, all hope for him was at an end.