MrLinleywasthegeneralmanagerofthecollieries，anelderlymanfromthenorth，withnotquiteenoughpunchtosuitClifford；notuptopost-warconditions，norpost-warcollierseither，withtheir`ca’canny’
creed。ButConnielikedMrLinley，thoughshewasgladtobesparedthetoadyingofhiswife。
Linleystayedtodinner，andConniewasthehostessmenlikedsomuch，somodest，yetsoattentiveandaware，withbig，wideblueeyesaridasoftreposethatsufficientlyhidwhatshewasreallythinking。Conniehadplayedthiswomansomuch，itwasalmostsecondnaturetoher；butstill，decidedlysecond。Yetitwascurioushoweverythingdisappearedfromherconsciousnesswhilesheplayedit。
Shewaitedpatientlytillshecouldgoupstairsandthinkherownthoughts。
Shewasalwayswaiting，itseemedtobeherforte。