“Old maid nothing!” he vociferated. “Ah,” he cried, “you seem to understand me. When I look at you, straight into your eyes⁠—”

From the doorway the cook announced that the man with the last load of furnace coal had come, and handed Laura the voucher to sign. Then needs must that Laura go with the cook to see if the range was finally and properly adjusted, and while she was gone the man from the gas company called to turn on the meter, and Landry was obliged to look after him. It was half an hour before he and Laura could once more settle themselves on the cushions in the parlour.

“Such a lot of things to do,” she said; “and you are such a help, Landry. It was so dear of you to want to come.”