I hope ... I do hope.... I am not less glad to see you than I should be; I do not mean to give you up, whatever others may do, but—but these are ticklish times brother, and just now (in a whisper) situated as we are, we cannot be too cautious. To tell you the truth ... I was not altogether prepared to see you, after the—

Not prepared to see me! Why you told me before you lifted the latch that I was expected, and waited for—

So I did brother ... so I did, I confess—

And yet, I told nobody of my intention; how did you know I was to be with you?—

One of the children said so above a week ago, in her sleep.

In—deed.

Ah, you may smile now, brother George; but you looked serious enough a moment ago, when I opened the door, and if what they say is true—

How did I look, pray?

Why—to tell you the truth, you looked as if you saw something.

Well ... what if I did see something?