It was afternoon, twilight yet out of doors--starless and moonless twilight; for though keenly freezing with a dry, black frost, heaven wore a mask of clouds congealed and fast locked. The mill-dam too was frozen. The Hollow was very still. Indoors it was already dark. Sarah had lit a good fire in the parlour; she was preparing tea in the kitchen.
"Hortense," said Moore, as his sister bustled up to help him off with his cloak, "I am pleased to come home."
Hortense did not feel the peculiar novelty of this expression coming from her brother, who had never before called the cottage his home, and to whom its narrow limits had always heretofore seemed rather restrictive than protective. Still, whatever contributed to his happiness pleased her, and she expressed herself to that effect.
He sat down, but soon rose again. He went to the window; he came back to the fire.

It was twilight out of doors; indoors it was already dark. Sarah had lit a good fire in the parlour, and was preparing tea in the kitchen.
"Hortense," said Moore, as his sister bustled over to help him off with his cloak, "I am pleased to come home."
Although he had never before called the cottage his home, Hortense did not feel the novelty of this. Still, she was pleased that he was pleased.
He sat down, but soon rose again. He went to the window; he came back to the fire.
