So he took up a newspaper, and occupied himself therewith, until his wife had undressed and put their two oldest children to bed.

As she returned from the adjoining room, where they slept, Ellis looked earnestly into her face, to see what hope there was for him in its expression.

Her lips were drawn closely together, her brows slightly contracted, and her countenance had a fretful, discontented expression.

He sighed inwardly, and resumed the perusal of his newspaper; or, rather, affected to resume it, for the words that met his eyes conveyed to his mind no intelligible ideas.
Mrs.Ellis took her work-basket, and commenced sewing, while her husband continued to hold the newspaper before his face.

After some ten minutes of silence, the latter made a remark, as a kind of feeler.