Never had its hours seemed so long, never had the noise and traffic, the tramping of feet, and the banging of doors seemed so intolerable.

As early as possible he was at David's, and David, with that fine instinct that a kind heart teaches, said as he entered, "Gude evening, James.

Gae awa ben and keep Christine company.
I'm that busy that I'll no shut up for half an hour yet." James found Christine in her usual place.

The hearth had been freshly swept, the fire blazed brightly, and she sat before it with her white seam in her hand.

She raised her eyes at James' entrance, and smilingly nodded to a vacant chair near her.