This change was not for the better.

Rotha had been sitting at the window to catch the last glimmer of daylight as she spun.

It was dusk, but not yet too dark for Ralph to see the tears standing in her eyes.

Presently she rose and went out of the room.
"Never fear that I shall be clemm'd," said Sim.

"No, no," he said, with a grin of satisfied assurance.
"God forbid!" said Ralph, "but things should be better soon.