that tea things
were on a table by the hearth and a kettle was boiling over the fire.

"And so--this is Miss Priscilla Glenn?"

So noiselessly had the man entered the room through the open door, so
kind and gentle his voice, that, though the girl started, she felt no
fear until her eyes fell upon the speaker. Boswell waited. He knew what
must follow. Readjustment always took time. In this case the time might
be longer because of the crudity of the girl.

"Ah!" The shuddering word escaped the trembling lips and the tightly
clasped hands that had instinctively gone to the face. "Ah!"

The man by the door sent forth a pitiful appeal for mercy and acceptance
in so sweet and rare a smile that for very shame Priscilla stood up and
smiled back wanly and apologetically.

Boswell liked the attempt and ready willingness; they showed character.

"Now that that is over," he said in his strange, fine voice, "we may sit
down and be friends. May we not?"

"I will make fresh tea for you--please let me!" for Boswell was waving
aside the suggestion.

"Very well! Weak--just flavoured water. Now, then!"

The sidling form edged to the deep chair beside the hearth and scrambled
up, using both hands as a child does. Priscilla kept her eyes upon her
task and struggled for composure.

"I--I suppose Max--I mean Farwell--did not describe me?"

"No, sir."

"It was mistaken kindness. My friends have a habit of doing that. They
think to spare me; it only makes it harder. Try to forget, as soon as
you can, my ugly shell; I am commonplace beneath."

The pathos of this almost brought tears to Priscilla Glenn's eyes. Her
warm, sympathetic nature responded generously.

"I--I am very sorry I gave you pain, sir. Forgive me!"

"We will not mention it again. If you can think of me as--a man, a friend
who wishes to help you for another friend's sake, you will honour me and
make easier your own position. You see, you are no stranger to me; I have
the advantage of you. Farwell has kept me in touch with you from your
childhood up. You have amused him, helped him to bear many things that
would have been harder for him without you. I thank you for this. I
am Farwell's friend. Why, do you know"--and now the deep eyes glowed
kindly--"he has even told me of that original religion you evolved from
your needs; he pictured the strange god you worshipped. I've laughed over
that many times."

"Your tea is getting cold, sir."

Priscilla was gaining con