I've got a room in the village for half-a-crown a week and 'board myself' as the good woman of the house says.

And I'm perfectly happy!" A long pause followed.

The fire was dying down from a flame to a dull red glow, and a rush of wind against the kitchen window was accompanied by the light pattering of rain.

Angus Reay rose.
"I must be going,"-- he said--"I've made you quite a visitation! Old David is nearly asleep!" Helmsley looked up.
"Not I!" and he smiled--"I'm very wide awake: I like your story, and I like _you_! Perhaps you'll come in again sometimes and have a chat with us ?" Reay glanced enquiringly at Mary, who had also risen from her chair, and was now lighting the lamp on the table.
"May I ?" he asked hesitatingly.
"Why, of course!" And her eyes met his with hospitable frankness--"Come whenever you feel lonely!" "I often do that!" he said.
"All the better!--then we shall often see you!"-- she answered--"And you'll always be welcome!" "Thank-you! I believe you mean it!" Mary smiled.
"Why of course I do! I'm not a newspaper syndicate!" "Nor a Mrs.Mushroom Ketchup!" put in Helmsley.
Angus threw back his head and gave one of his big joyous laughs.
"No! You're a long way off that!" he said--"Good-evening, David!" And going up to the armchair where Helmsley sat he shook hands with him.
"Good-evening, Mr.Reay!" rejoined Helmsley, cheerily; "I'm very glad we met this afternoon!" "So am I!" declared Angus, with energy--"I don't feel quite so much of a solitary bear as I did.

I'm in a better temper altogether with the world in general!" "That's right!" said Mary--"Whatever happens to you it's never the fault of the world, remember!--it's only the trying little ways of the people in it!" She held out her hand in farewell, and he pressed it gently.