Old Hendrick, faithful servitor through two generations, was sweeping the autumn leaves from the sidewalk when Montgomery came up to the house.
"Hello, Hendrick," was the young man's cheery greeting.

"Nice lot of leaves you have there." "So ?" ebbed from Hendrick, who did not even so much as look up from his work.

Hendrick was a human clam.
"Mrs.Gray in ?" A grunt that signified yes.
"You're as loquacious as ever, Hendrick." A mere nod.
Brewster let himself in with his own latch key, threw his hat on a chair and unceremoniously bolted into the library.

Margaret was seated near a window, a book in her lap.

The first evidence of unbiased friendship he had seen in days shone in her smile.