He remarked, however, that she was more thoughtful and downcast than usual, and several times he saw her break off in the middle of a task and listen nervously as for something she expected.
Presently:-- "Are you listening for Louis ?" he asked.
She turned on him, her eyes less kind than usual.

"No," she said, almost defiantly.

"Was I listening ?" "I thought so," he said.
She turned away again, and went on with her work.

But by-and-by as she stooped over the fire a tear fell and pattered audibly in the wood-ash on the hearth; and another.

With an impatient gesture she wiped away a third.