ColonelParsonssatbythewindowinthedining-roomtocatchthelastglimmerofthefadingday,lookingthroughhisStandardtomakesurethathehadoverlookednopartofit.Finally,withalittlesigh,hefoldeditup,andtakingoffhisspectacles,putthemintheircase.
"Haveyoufinishedthepaper?"askedhiswife
"Yes,IthinkI'vereaditall.There'snothinginit."
Helookedoutofwindowatthewell-keptdrivethatledtothehouse,andatthetrimlaurelbusheswhichseparatedthefrontgardenfromthevillagegreen.Hiseyesrested,withahappysmile,uponthetriumphalarchwhichdecoratedthegateforthehome-comingofhisson,expectedthenextdayfromSouthAfrica.Mrs.Parsonsknitteddiligentlyatasockforherhusband,workingwithquickandcleverfingers.Hewatchedtherapidglintoftheneedles.
"You'lltryyoureyesifyougoonmuchlongerwiththislight,mydear."
"Oh,Idon'trequiretosee,"repliedhiswife,withagentle,affectionatesmile.Butshestopped,rathertired,andlayingthesockonthetable,smootheditoutwithherhand.
"Ishouldn'tmindifyoumadeitabithigherinthelegthanthelastpair."
"Howhighwouldyoulikeit?"
ShewenttothewindowsothattheColonelmightshowtheexactlengthhedesiredandwhenhehadmadeuphismind,satdownagainquietlyonherchairbythefireside,withhandscrossedonherlap,waitingplacidlyforthemaidtobringthelamp.
Mrs.Parsonswasatallwomanoffifty-five,carryingherselfwithacertaindiffidence,asthoughalittleashamedofherstature,greaterthantheColonel'sithadseemedtoherthroughlifethatthoseextrainchessavoured,afterafashion,ofdisrespect.Sheknewitwasherdutyspirituallytolookuptoherhusband,yetphysicallyshewasalwaysforcedtolookdown.Andeagertopreventeventheremotestsuspicionofwrong-doing,shehadtakencaretobesosubmissiveinherbehaviourastoleavenodoubtthatsherecognisedtheobligationofrespectfulobedienceenjoinedbytheBible,andconfirmedbyherownconscience.Mrs.Parsonswasthegentlestofcreatures,andthemostkind-heartedshelookeduponherhusbandwithgreatandunalterab