"
"That is very strange," mused her mother, moving slowly toward her and
holding out her hand for the note; but Ruth thrust the papers into her
pocket.
"It is to me, Mamma; you do not care for second-hand love-letters, do you?"
she asked, assuming a desperate gayety. "There is nothing strange about
it; he often leaves like this."
"Not in such weather and not after_ There won't be a man in the house
to-night. I wish your father were home; he would not like it if he knew."
She shivered slightly as they went into the dining-room.
Chapter XXIII
The next day passed like a nightmare. To add to the misery of her secret,
her mother began to fidget over the continued lack of any communication
from her husband. Had the weather been fair, Ruth would have insisted on
her going out with her; but to the rain of the day before was added a heavy
windstorm that made any unnecessary expedition from home absurd.
Mrs. Levice worried herself into a headache, but would not lie down. She
was sure that the next delivery would bring something. Was it not time for
the second delivery? Would not Ruth please watch for the postman? By
half-past one she took up her station at the window only to see the jaunty
little rubber-encased man go indifferently by.
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