We have been hoping for you every day." "Well, I've wanted to come badly enough, but there has been a combination of hindrances.

Two of our men got sick, so there was more to do than usual; then Geoff had to be away four days, and almost as soon as he got back he had bad news from home, and I hated to leave him alone." "What sort of bad news ?" "His sister's dead." "Poor fellow! In England too! You said he was English, didn't you ?" "Yes.

She was married.

Her husband was a clergyman down in Cornwall somewhere.

She was older than Geoff a good deal; but he was very fond of her, and the news cut him up dreadfully." "No wonder.