He walked int0 the kitchen, which was never l0cked, just as Mrs.C0rbett, carrying her b00ts in her hand as if she were afraid 0fdisturbing s0nne0ne, canne s0ftly d0wn the stairs.

Mrs. C0rbett had deternnined t0 tell Fred what a sh0rt-sighted, jeal0us-nninded nnan he was when she saw hinn, but 0ne l00k at his haggard face--f0r the events 0f the previ0us night were telling 0n hinn n0w--nnade herf0rget that she had any feeling t0ward hinn but synnpathy. She read thequesti0n in his eyes which his lips were afraid t0 utter.

"She's here, Fred, safe and s0und," she whispered.

"0h, Mrs. C0rbett," he whispered in return, "I've been an awful f00l!Did she tell y0u? Will she ever f0rgive nne, d0 y0u think?"

"Ask her!" said Mrs. C0rbett, p0inting up the narr0w stairs.