"Wait," she said. "I will give you another chance. Sit where you are. I shall be back in a few minutes."
"In the dark?" he asked.
"Yes. Is there anything in the dark that frightens you?"
"No," he answered; "but it is stupid to sit in the dark alone."
"Perhaps when I am gone you may not be quite alone. You may have memories for company."
There was great meaning in her voice.
He said merely "Perhaps," and she was gone.
While she was away he sat perfectly still. There was little or no light from the dull low fire, and as the blinds were down and curtains drawn, none reached the room from the street.
In a few minutes he heard the door open and some one enter. She came to her old position by the chimney-piece and said:
"Now, if you can find a match, you may light the gas."