coming through the diamond-paned bay window of her sanctum she came out
to meet him and asked him in. She looked at him searchingly and shook
her head as she said:

'You must not overdo it, sir. You are paler this morning than you should
be. Too late hours and too hard work on the brain isn't good for any
man! But tell me, sir, how did you pass the night? Well, I hope? But my
heart! sir, I was glad when Mrs. Dempster told me this morning that you
were all right and sleeping sound when she went in.'

'Oh, I was all right,' he answered smiling, 'the "somethings" didn't
worry me, as yet. Only the rats; and they had a circus, I tell you, all
over the place. There was one wicked looking old devil that sat up on my
own chair by the fire, and wouldn't go till I took the poker to him, and
then he ran up the rope of the alarm bell and got to somewhere up the
wall or the ceiling--I couldn't see where, it was so dark.'

'Mercy on us,' said Mrs. Witham, 'an old devil, and sitting on a chair
by the fireside! Take care, sir! take care! There's many a true word
spoken in jest.'

'How do you mean? Pon my word I don't understand.'

'An old devil! The old devil, perhaps. There! sir, you needn't laugh,'
for Malcolmson had broken into a hearty peal. 'You young folks thinks it
easy to laugh at things that makes older ones shudder. Never mind, sir!
never mind! Please God, you'll laugh all the time. It's what I wish you
myself!' and the good lady beamed all over in sympathy with his
enjoyment, her fears gone for a moment.