He sauntered into the waiting-room, looking about him as though in search of the ticket-agent.
A woman entered the depot at that moment carrying a little child in her arms. She recognized the man at a single glance.
"Why, Mr. Royal Ainsley!" she cried, "is this indeed you returning to your old home?"
Turning hastily around at the mention of his name, he beheld Mrs. Lester standing before him.
"Yes; I have returned like a bad penny, Mrs. Lester," he said, with a light, flippant laugh. "But, judging from the expression on your face, you are not glad to see me."
"I have not said so," she answered.
"Sit down, Mrs. Lester," he said, flinging himself down on one of the benches. "I should like to inquire of you about the women-folk of the village."
The woman sat down beside him, in obedience to his request.
"There is very little to tell," she answered; "everything in our village moves on about the same, year in and year out. Nothing of importance has taken place, except the marriage of your cousin, Eugene Mallard."