On his return to the city, Roger found that Deborah's school had apparently swept all other interests out of her mind.

Baird hardly ever came to the house, and she herself was seldom there except for a hasty dinner at night.
The house had to run itself more or less; and though Annie the cook was doing her best, things did not run so smoothly.

Roger missed little comforts, attentions, and he missed Deborah most of all.

When he came down to his breakfast she had already left the house, and often she did not return until long after he was in bed.

She felt the difference herself, and though she did not put it in words her manner at times seemed to beg his forbearance.