And with him, at meal times, or after supper in the sitting room, she was always cheerful and good-humored.

But he had heard her sigh at her work, and once, when she thought herself unobserved, he saw her wipe her eyes with her apron.
"No, no," she protested, when he asked if anything had gone wrong.

"I'm all right.

Got a little cold or somethin', I guess, that's all." She would not give any other explanation and absolutely refused to see the doctor.

Ellery did not press the matter.