The Shadow on the Hearth
He spoke in a loud tone; and as he spoke, the deaf old gentleman entered.
“He’s not so much a stranger that you haven’t seen him once, Caleb,” said the carrier. “You’ll give him house-room till we go?”
“Oh, surely, John, and take it as an honor.”
“He’s the best company on earth to talk secrets in,” said John. “I have reasonably good lungs, but he tried them, I’ll tell you.” Turning to the old gentleman, he spoke in a loud voice again, “Sit down, sir. All friends here, and glad to see you.”
Then he added in his natural tone, “A chair in the chimney-corner, and leave to sit silent and look pleasantly about him is all he cares for. He’s easily pleased.”
Bertha had been listening intently. She called Caleb to her side, and when he came, asked him, in a low voice, to describe their visitor. When he had done so, she moved away and showed no further interest in him.
The carrier was in high spirits, good fellow that he was, and fonder of his little wife than ever.
“Some folks may think it queer,” he said jokingly, putting his rough arm about her, as she stood apart from the others, “but I like this little lady somehow. Look yonder, Dot.”
He pointed to the old man. She looked down. I think she trembled.