beaming on her. She got up quickly. "You are early."

Uncle William held out a hand detainingly. "You set right down and go
to work. I come early a-purpose. I thought I'd like to set a spell and
watch ye."

The girl resumed her copying. The lamp beside her shed its dull glow
on the page, and on her face and neck, as she bent to it. The dark room
rose mysteriously behind her. Uncle William settled himself in his chair
with a breath of relief.

When she had finished the copying she came across to him. "It is done
now." She smiled to him through the dim light.

"Keeps you workin' pretty steady, don't it?" said Uncle William.

"Yes." There was no complaint in the word.

Uncle William nodded. "I reckoned I'd find you doin' it. That's why I
come early. I kind o' wanted a chance to set--where 't was quiet and
things wa'n't worryin'."

She leaned forward. "Is he worse?"

"Well, not worse, so to speak, but kind o' triflin'--wanting his own way
a good deal. If I was home, I wouldn't mind it a mite. I'd go outdoor
and take two-three good whiffs, look at the water and see how things was
comin' on. I'd be all right in no time. But here--" He drew a kind of
caged breath. "It's worse _out_door 'n 't is _in_."