Mary Rose was busy with her homework. John, her brother, had gone the Pictures with some friends, and her parents were out as well. So Mary we quite alone. The shades of evening were falling, and the fire glowed cheerful in the grate. But the growing gloom and the soothing warmth made Ma feel rather drowsy. She looked at her book with heavy eyes and ree “Multiply 2–763 by 100”. Then she put down her pen with a sigh, as rested her head wearily on her hands.