Drink your coffee and I'll be sensible again directly." To his horror she was shaken with sobs.

He would have consoled her, but she motioned him away.
"Dear Stephen," she pleaded, "I am sorry--to be such a fool--but this thing has lived with me a long time, and--would you go away?
It would be kindest." He rose to his feet, hesitated for one moment of agony, then crossed the room with a farewell glance at the sad little feast.

He closed the door softly behind him, descended the stairs and stood for a moment in the entrance hall, looking out upon the street.

A cheerless, drizzling rain was falling.

The streets were wet and swept with a cold wind.