Then a kinder mood took possession of him.
"Well, at least it will keep her from fussing and fretting and thinking.
Still, I hope she won't hurt it."
CHAPTER XIII.
A DOMESTIC SCENE.
ONE afternoon when Mrs. Reffold came to say good-bye to her husband before going out for the usual sledge-drive, he surprised her by his unwonted manner.
"Take your cloak off," he said sharply. "You cannot go for your drive this afternoon. You don't often give up your time to me; you must do so to-day."
She was so astonished, that she at once laid aside her cloak and hat, and touched the bell.
"Why are you ringing?" Mr. Reffold asked testily.
"To send a message of excuse," she answered, with provoking cheerfulness.
She scribbled something on a card, and gave it to the servant who answered the bell.