"Mr.Ellery, can I come in?
I know you want to be alone, but I don't think you'd ought to be, too much.

I'd like to talk with you a few minutes; may I ?" A moment passed before he told her to enter.

He was sitting in a chair by the window, dressed just as he had been when she returned from the tavern.

She looked sharply at his face as it was turned toward her.

His eyes were dry and in them was an expression so hopeless and dreary that the tears started to her own.
"John," she said, "I couldn't bear to think of your facin' it alone up here.