Tom stopped and came close to her. In the dim light she could see that his face was all aglow, like a child's, with delight and surprise.
“Is that you, Annie?” he said.
“Yes. I want to speak to you, please.”
“I have been here before, and I rang the bell three times. Then you were out, although your sisters thought not.”
“No, I was in the house.”
“You did not hear the bell?”
“Yes, I heard it every time.”
“Then why—?”
“Come into the house with me and I will tell you; at least I will tell you all I can.”
Annie led the way and the young man followed. He stood in the dark entry while Annie lit the parlor lamp. The room was on the farther side of the house from the parsonage.