Mr. Hale did not answer for a minute or two. He played with some papers on the table in a nervous and confused manner, opening his lips to speak several times, but closing them again without having the courage to utter a word. Margaret could not bear the sight of the suspense, which was even more distressing to her father than to herself.

Mr. Hale did not answer for a minute or two. Nervous and confused, he opened his lips to speak several times, but closed them again without having the courage to utter a word. Margaret could not bear the suspense.
