Poor Mrs. Grant feared that it was the calm before a storm , and it was with nervous haste that she went to the door and greeted the young teacher . He was a slight , pale , boyish-looking fellow , with an abstracted , musing look in his large dark eyes . Mrs. Grant noticed with amusement that he wore a white straw hat in spite of the season . His eyes were directed to her face with his usual unseeing gaze . `` Just as though he was looking through me at something a thousand miles away , '' said Mrs. Grant afterwards . `` I believe he was , too . His body was right there on the step before me , but where his soul was is more than you or I or anybody can tell . '' `` Good morning , '' he said absently . `` I have just called on my way to school with a message from Miss Millar . She wants you all to come up and have Christmas dinner with her tomorrow . '' `` For the land 's sake ! '' said Mrs. Grant blankly . `` I do n't understand . '' To herself she thought , `` I wish I dared take him and shake him to find if he 's walking in his sleep or not . '' `` You and all the children -- every one , '' went on the teacher dreamily , as if he were reciting a lesson learned beforehand . `` She told me to tell you to be sure and come . Shall I say that you will ? '' `` Oh , yes , that is -- I suppose -- I do n't know , '' said Mrs. Grant incoherently . `` I never expected -- yes , you may tell her we 'll come , '' she concluded abruptly . `` Thank you , '' said the abstracted messenger , gravely lifting his hat and looking squarely through Mrs. Grant into unknown regions .
When he had gone Mrs. Grant went XXXXX and sat down , laughing in a sort of hysterical way .
For Grant To before in on storm than that with