To Emily, who strove to interest herself in his subjects out of mere love and compassion, he appeared to have gained not a little knowledge of facts and theories.

She liked to encourage herself in the faith that his attainments were solid as far as they went, and that they might have been the foundation of good independent work; it helped her to respect her father.
'Will you come up to-night, Emily ?' he asked, with the diffidence which he always put into this request.
She assented with apparent cheerfulness, and they climbed the stairs together.

The last portion of them was uncarpeted, and their footsteps sounded with hollow echoes under the roof.

It was all but dark by this time; Mr.Hood found matches on the table and lit the lamp, which illuminated the bare whitewashed walls and sloping ceiling with a dreary dimness.

There was no carpet on the floor, which creaked as they moved here and there.