Ethel poked the logs in the fireplace until there was a cheerful blaze.

As she straightened up she caught sight of her face in the mirror over the mantel.

Even in the firelight how gaunt and strained it looked to her.
"Not very attractive," she grimly thought.

"This has got to be done by brains, my dear." In a moment she heard Joe's key in the door.

She heard him taking off his coat and then coming slowly into the room.