But his wife might wonder why he did not go to her as usual; and so, overcoming his disinclination, he went towards the bedroom.

As he walked over the soft rug towards the door, he could not help overhearing a conversation he did not want to hear.

"If he hadn't been going away, I could have understood your answer and his too.

But your husband ought to be above that," Betsy was saying.

"It's not for my husband; for myself I don't wish it.