She had fled from home because she could not bear her mother's eyes.
Meanwhile he was becoming almost as preoccupied and gloomy as she, and their dreary interviews grew more dreary than ever, for she was now scarcely more silent than he.

His constant and increasing anxiety, in addition to the duties of a responsible business position, began to tell on his health.

The owner of the manufactory of which he was superintendent, called him into his office one day, and told him he was working too hard, and must take a little vacation.

But he declined.

Soon after a physician whom he knew buttonholed him on the street, and managed to get in some shrewd questions about his health.