Perhaps it was that as took him to Malsham; and yet that's strange, for it was a London letter--and it don't seem likely as any one could be coming down from London to meet Steph at Malsham.

I can't make top nor tail of it." Mrs.Tadman laid down her knitting, and gave the fire a vigorous stir.
She wanted some vent for her vexation; for it was really too provoking to see Ellen Whitelaw sitting staring out of the window like a lifeless statue, and not taking the faintest interest in the mystery of her husband's conduct.

She stirred the fire, and then busied herself with the tea-table, giving a touch here and there where no re-arrangement was wanted, for the sake of doing something.
The room looked comfortable enough in the cold light of the spring afternoon.

It was the most occupied room in the house, and the least gloomy.

The glow of a good fire brightened the scanty shabby furniture a little, and the table, with its white cloth, homely flowered cups and saucers, bright metal teapot, and substantial fare in the way of ham and home-made bread, had a pleasant look enough in the eyes of any one coming in from a journey through the chill March atmosphere.