Don't you remember your promise to consider me as a brother? Go
on telling me everything that happens to you, pray; you cannot
think how much interest I take in all your interests. I can quite
fancy that charming home at Milham you told me about last Sunday.
I can almost fancy Mrs. Mason's workroom; and that, surely, is a
proof either of the strength of my imagination, or of your powers
of description."

Ruth smiled. "It is, indeed, sir. Our workroom must be so
different to anything you ever saw. I think you must have passed
through Milham often on your way to Lowford."

"Then you don't think it is any stretch of fancy to have so clear
an idea as I have of Milham Grange? On the left hand of the road,
is it, Ruth?"

"Yes, sir, just over the bridge, and up the hill where the
elm-trees meet overhead and make a green shade; and then comes
the dear old Grange, that I shall never see again."

"Never! Nonsense, Ruthie; it is only six miles off; you may see
it any day. It is not an hour's ride."

"Perhaps I may see it again when I am grown old; I did not think
exactly what 'never' meant; it is so very long since I was there,
and I don't see any chance of my going for years and years at any
rate."

"Why, Ruth, you--we may go next Sunday afternoon, if you like."