There，thetablewaslaidforhissupper，andhisoldgreygownwasreadyforhimonhischair-backatthefire。Hisdaughterputherlittleprayer-bookinherpocket——hadshebeenprayingforpityonallprisonersandcaptives!——androsetowelcomehim。
Unclehadgonehome，then？sheasked@asshechangedhiscoatandgavehimhisblackvelvetcap。Yes，unclehadgonehome。Hadherfatherenjoyedhiswalk？Why，notmuch，Amy；notmuch。No!Didhenotfeelquitewell？
Asshestoodbehindhim，leaningoverhischairsolovingly，helookedwithdowncasteyesatthefire。Anuneasinessstoleoverhimthatwaslikeatouchofshame；andwhenhespoke，ashepresentlydid，itwasinanunconnectedandembarrassedmanner。
’Something，I——hem!——Idon’tknowwhat，hasgonewrongwithChivery。Heisnot——ha!——notnearlysoobligingandattentiveasusualto-night。It——hem!——it’salittlething，butitputsmeout，mylove。It’simpossibletoforget，’turninghishandsoverandoverandlookingcloselyatthem，’that——hem!——thatinsuchalifeasmine，Iamunfortunatelydependentonthesemenforsomethingeveryhourintheday。’
Herarmwasonhisshoulder，butshedidnotlookinhisfacewhilehespoke。Bendingherheadshelookedanotherway。