lighted with his room. It was palatial compared to the sordid
den he inhabited at home in its constant disorder and dirt. As he
glanced about him, noted the snowy whiteness of the towels at the
wash-stand, the freshly laundered white window-curtains, and the clean
pillows and coverlet of the great wide bed, he had a sense of meeting a
new experience in life that was vastly gratifying. He heard Cavanaugh
clattering about in his room across the narrow passage, and smiled. The
old man's words, "A cottage filled with pure delight," rang in his ears
like a haunting strain of music.

CHAPTER VI

They had supper at six o'clock in the big dining-room. The sun was not
yet down, and through the open windows and door John looked out on a
small but orderly arranged flower-garden upon which the slanting rays of
the sun rested. Whaley sat at the head of the table, his wife at the
foot. Tilly was not in sight. She was in the adjoining kitchen, and as
he sat with his wrinkled hands crossed over his down-turned plate, her
father suddenly called out to her.

"Tilly," he cried, "come set down till the blessing is asked, and then
you can bring the things in."

Her face flushed as from the heat of the stove, the girl came in and
slipped demurely into a chair opposite John and next to Cavanaugh. John
had never gone through such an ordeal before, and he felt awkward. He
noticed that all the others had lowered their heads, and he did
likewise, though he had a certain rebellious feeling against it.

"I don't know what you have been accustomed to," Whaley suddenly said,
looking at Cavanaugh, "but I have always held, as a principle, that the
head of a house ought to ask the blessing on it; so you will understand,
sir, that in failing to call on you I mean no disrespect."

"Oh, not at all," the contractor mumbled. "I think you are right about
that. I always do it at home. Of course, if there is an ordained
minister on hand, I ask him, but otherwise I don't."

"Well, I don't even in that case," Whaley answered, crustily. "I've
always made it a rule, and I stick to it." Then he cleared his throat,
lowered his head again, and prayed aloud at some length. John could not
have recalled afterward what it was that he had said, for the most of
the words used were unusual and high-sounding.

The prayer was no sooner ended than Tilly rose and hastened from the
room. She came back almost instantly with a great platter of fried ham
and eggs an