Watterly. You've proved yourself a friend again," and he went rapidly away,
followed by Jane.

Mrs. Mumpson was so taken aback by Holcroft's final words and Watterly's stern
manner as he said, "This is my office," that for once in her life she
disappeared silently.

Holcroft soon purchased the articles on his list, meanwhile racking his brains
to think of something that he could buy for Alida, but the fear of being
thought sentimental and of appearing to seek a personal regard for himself,
not "nominated in the bond," restrained him.

On his way home he was again sunk in deep abstraction, but the bitterness of
his feeling had passed away. Although as mistaken as before in his
apprehension of Alida, his thoughts were kinder and juster. "I've no right to
find fault or complain," he said to himself. "She's done all I asked and
better than she agreed, and there's no one to blame if she can't do more. It
must have been plain enough to her at first that I didn't want anything but a
housekeeper--a quiet, friendly body that would look after the house and dairy,
and she's done better than I even hoped. That's just the trouble; she's
turned out so different from what I expected, and looks so different from what
she did, that I'm just sort of carried away. I'd give half the farm if she
was sitting by my side this June evening and I could tell her all I feel and
know she was glad. I must be just and fair to her. I asked her to agree to
one thing and now I'm beginning to want a tremendous sight more--I want her to
like not only her home and work and the quiet life she so longed for, but I
want her to like me, to enjoy my society, not only in a friendly, businesslike
way, but in another way--yes, confound my slow wits! Somewhat as if she was
my wife in reality and not merely in name, as I insisted. It's mighty mean
business in me, who have been so proud of standing up to my agreements and so