He went back to the text and lost himself.

He did not notice that a young woman had entered the room.

The first he knew was when he heard Arthur's voice saying:- "Ruth, this is Mr.Eden." The book was closed on his forefinger, and before he turned he was thrilling to the first new impression, which was not of the girl, but of her brother's words.

Under that muscled body of his he was a mass of quivering sensibilities.

At the slightest impact of the outside world upon his consciousness, his thoughts, sympathies, and emotions leapt and played like lambent flame.