He was in his shirt-sleeves and bareheaded, his straight hair standing straight out like the bristles of a shoe-brush.

Since the death of his wife a few years before he had left the service, and now spent most of his days at home, tending his garden and enjoying his savings.

He was a man of positive character and generally had his own way in everything.

It was therefore with some astonishment that he heard Martha say when she had mounted the porch steps and pushed open the front door, her breath almost gone in her hurried walk, "Come inside." Captain Holt threw down his paper and rising hurriedly from his chair, followed her into the sitting-room.

The manner of the nurse surprised him.