There was a pause of tender silence for many minutes.
"Well, I must not keep you up any longer, mother dear--it's time you were resting.

Good-night." And with a long embrace and kiss they separated.

He had yet fifteen miles to walk to reach the midnight stage that was to convey him to Salem.
As he was starting from the house with his bundle in his hand, the sound of a gay laugh came through the distant shrubbery.

It was Diana and Bill returning from the husking.

Hastily he concealed himself behind a clump of old lilac bushes till they emerged into the moonlight and passed into the house.