Brown was early astir. He knew that he could not keep Shock so fully employed as to prevent his going home long before ten o'clock, and it was part of his plan that Shock's first meeting with Helen should take place in his own mother's house.
"The first thing we must do," he announced, "is to see a tailor. If you are going to address the General Assembly you have got to get proper togs. And anyway, you may as well get a suit before you go West again. I know a splendid tailor—cheap, too."
"Well, he will need to be cheap," said Shock, "for I cannot afford much for clothes."
"Well, I will see about that," said Brown. So he did, for after some private conversation with the tailor, the prices quoted to Shock were quite within even his small means.
It was half-past nine before they reached Shock's home. Brown took the key out of his pocket, opened the door, and allowed Shock to enter, waiting outside for a few moments.
When he followed Shock in he found him still standing in the centre of the little room, looking about upon the familiar surroundings, the articles of furniture, the pictures on the wall, his mother's chair beside the table, with her Bible and glasses at hand.
As Brown came in Shock turned to him and said, "Is this some more of your kindness, Brown? Have you taken this care of everything?"
"No," said Brown, "that is not my work. Every week since the house was closed Helen has come over and kept things right."
Without any reply Shock passed into his mother's room, leaving Brown alone.
When half an hour had passed, Brown, glancing out of the window, saw Helen approaching.