There was a sense of home in the cabin here and the crackle of the fire was the music of comfort.

Kenny drank a little of his tea and roved off to the window to light a cigarette.
Beyond the November monotone of trees blazed the red of a sunset.

A winter sunset! The fall was over.
"Joan!" he called softly.

"Come, jewel machree, the Gray Man is stealing through the pines." She came at once and slipped into the circle of his arm.

Kenny held her tight and found his courage.