A sheet of wind-driven rain lashed the windows.
"Did you hear ?" called the minister.

"I said that Nathaniel Hammond, Captain Eben's son, came on the packet.

I didn't meet him, but I'm sure it was he.

Er--Mrs.Coffin, are you there?
Do you hear me ?" The housekeeper laid the pen down beside the unfinished letter.
"Yes," she said, "I hear you.

Good night." For minutes she sat there, leaning back in her chair and staring at the wall.