The tension would have been even greater had he seen the young lady going leisurely about her preparations for bed.

For Ruth was of the orderly, precise women who are created to foster the virtue of patience in those about them.

It took her nearly as long to dress for bed as for a party.

She did her hair up in curl papers with the utmost care; she washed and rinsed and greased her face and neck and gave them a thorough massage.

She shook out and carefully hung or folded or put to air each separate garment.