I had asked him once if he were quite well, and he had looked at me in evident astonishment.
'Perfectly well, thank you,--in a state of rude health.

Nothing ever ails me.

Why do you ask ?' But I evaded this question, for I knew Max hated to be watched; and, after all, what right had I to intrude into his private anxieties?
doubtless he had plenty of these, like other men.

The management of a large parish was on his shoulders, and he was too conscientious and hard-working to spare himself; but somehow the shadow lying deep down in Max's honest brown eyes haunted me as I unlatched the cottage door.
I heard Nathaniel's voice in the kitchen, and went in to bid him and his mother good-night.

Mrs.Barton was not there, however, but, to my chagrin, Mr.Hamilton occupied her seat.