CHAPTER XIII.
A DOMESTIC SCENE.
ONE afternoon when Mrs.Reffold came to say good-bye to her husband before going out for the usual sledge-drive, he surprised her by his unwonted manner.
"Take your cloak off," he said sharply.

"You cannot go for your drive this afternoon.

You don't often give up your time to me; you must do so to-day." She was so astonished, that she at once laid aside her cloak and hat, and touched the bell.
"Why are you ringing ?" Mr.Reffold asked testily.
"To send a message of excuse," she answered, with provoking cheerfulness.
She scribbled something on a card, and gave it to the servant who answered the bell.
"Now," she said, with great sweetness of manner.

And she sat down beside him, drew out her fancy-work, and worked away contentedly.

She would have made a charming study of a devoted wife soothing a much-loved husband in his hours of sickness and weariness.
"Do you mind giving up your drive ?" he asked.
"Not in the least," she replied.