So thinking, John let himself in through the garden door, and was not surprised to find a dark figure, with white cap and apron, standing on the kitchen doorstep waiting for him.
"You are late, John; cook and Jane have gone to bed."
"Well, Ruthie, I'm glad of that, because if you're not too tired, I want a chat with you."
Too tired, indeed! When all the evening Ruth had been looking forward to that few minutes as her ample compensation for the disappointments and worries she had borne so patiently.
