"Where have you been all this time, Philip?—in this terrible storm, too! You are a monument of snow. Stand out here in the kitchen while I sweep you off."
Philip obediently stood still while his wife walked around him with a broom, and good-naturedly submitted to being swept down, "as if I were being worked into shape for a snow man," he said.
"Where have you been? Give an account of yourself."
"I have been seeing how some other people live. Sarah, the Brother Man was not so very crazy, after all. He has more than half converted me."
"Did you find out anything about him?"
"Yes, several of the older citizens here recognized my description of him. They say he is harmless and has quite a history; was once a wealthy mill-owner in Clinton. He wanders about the country, living with any one who will take him in. It is a queer case; I must find out more about him. But I'm hungry; can I have a bite of something?"
"Haven't you had dinner?"
"No; haven't had time."
"Where have you been?"
"Among the tenements."