"Eglah!" His voice was a passionate appeal.
She interlaced and clasped her own fingers, her hands hanging in front of her.
"Mr. Herriott, I am very glad you have reached home safely. I congratulate you upon escaping the dangers of your Arctic journey."
"You are not surprised to see me in the United States?"
"Not at all. I happened to call at Calvary House recently, and accidentally I saw and heard you talking in the cloister."
"You were so near, so near—yet gave me no intimation of your presence?"
"I have studied and learned thoroughly the lesson you selected and set for me; you wished to avoid me. My schooling was effectual, and I was glad to gratify you."
"When I landed I went first to Calvary House with a suffering human wreck whom I promised——"
"Why trouble yourself to explain what concerns only you and your sick friend? Your reasons I have neither the right to ask, nor any desire to hear."
"At least you will permit me to thank you for all your gracious kindness to Amos Lea. He tells me you saved his life, and thereby I am far more your debtor than is the poor old man."