"Oh, I saw him this morning. It is of no moment. I did what was needed."
"But I have to see Mrs. Lamb too. Come for the walk. It is blowing a gale and the snow is splendid—do come."
Of late he had rarely walked with her. He hesitated.
"Do come."
"If I die of cold, Leila."
"Die! You do not take exercise enough to keep your blood in motion. Come, please!"
He said no more except "Wait a moment," and returned fitly clad. A fury of charging battalions of snow met them in the avenue. She faced it gallantly, joyous and rosy. He bent to avoid the sting of the driven snow, shivering, and more at ease when in the town the houses broke the force of the gale.
"You won't need to go to Grace's," he urged.
"I am under orders. Don't you know Aunt Ann?"
Presently plunging through the snow-drifts they came into the dreary disordered back room which had so troubled Penhallow. It was cold with that indoor cold which is so unpleasant. Joe Grace came in—a big strapping young fellow. "I came from the farm and found father in bed and no wood in the stack. Some one has just fetched a load." He began to make a fire.