Ben would have been at home and in bed by now. They always rose early and he needed his sleep. But they had received a letter from Alice that had disturbed him somewhat, and Ben had decided to send a wire to Castleton this very night, because he would not be able to do it in the morning. But when he returned, it started raining, and though at first it had seemed like light rain, it soon got heavy, and Ben found himself walking close to the walls, looking for cover. It didn't help that his leg was poor, and he couldn't walk as fast as he used to.

He didn't hesitate when he passed the local Catholic church. Though Ben disliked Catholicism and would never go into one of these churches voluntarily, he knew that arriving home soaking wet would be disastrous for his health, and so he went in grudgingly. He stayed in the back, as if to distance himself from everything inside. He didn't notice the younger man, who had also sought shelter.