A year ago she would have got up and kissed him innocently; but a year makes a great difference.

She could not do that now, so she gave him her little hand, and held his till he came and sat down at his place at the table.
'Oh, Charley, I don't know what to say to you,' said she; and he could see and feel that her whole body was shaking with emotion.
'Then I'll tell you what to say: 'Charley, here is your tea, and some bread, and some butter, and some jam, and some muffin,' for I'll tell you what, my evening bath has made me as hungry as a hunter.

I hope it has done the same to you.' Katie, still holding his hand, looked up into his face, and he saw that her eyes were suffused with tears.

She then left his side, and, running round the room, filled a plate with all the things he had asked for, and, bringing them to him, again took her place beside him.

'I wish I knew how to do more than that,' said she.
'I suppose, Charley, you'll have to make an entry about that barge on Monday morning, won't you ?' said Linda.