For on her way to and
from school she had been used to pay him frequent visits, if only for a
few moments at a time, dust his room, clean the murky little window, and
bring him a bunch of flowers or a dish of gossip.

In this way she was a link between him and the small world of Danecross
down below; and in spite of his literary pursuits Joshua by no means
despised news of his neighbour's affairs, though he often received it
with a look of indifference. Besides this, her visits gave him an
opportunity for talking, which was a great pleasure to him, and one in
which he was seldom able to indulge, except on Saturdays when he
travelled down to the bar of the "Three Bells" for an hour's
conversation. He was also fond of Lilac for her own sake, and anxious
to know if she were comfortable and happy in her new home.

He soon began, therefore, to look out eagerly for her as he sat at work;
but no little figure appeared, and he said to himself, "I shall see her
o' Sunday at church." But this expectation was also disappointed, and
he learned from Bella Greenways that Lilac and Agnetta were to go in the
evenings, it was more convenient. Joshua could not do that; it had been
his settled habit for years to stay at home on Sunday evening, and it
was impossible to alter it. So it came to pass that a whole month went
by and he had not seen her once. Then he said to himself, "If so be as
they won't let her come to me, I reckon I must go and see her." And he
locked up his cottage one evening and set out for the farm. Joshua was
a welcome guest everywhere, in spite of his poverty and lowly station;
even at the Greenways', who held their heads so high, and did not "mix",
as Bella called it, with the "poor people." This was partly because of
his learning, which in itself gave him a position apart, and also
because he had a certain dignity of character which comes of
self-respect and simplicity wherever they are found. Mrs Greenways was
indeed a little afraid of him, and as anxious to make the best of
herself in his presence as she was in that of her rector and landlord,
Mr Leigh.

"Why, you're quite a stranger, Mr Snell," she said when he appeared on
this occasion. "Now sit down, do, and rest yourself, and have a glass
of something or a cup of tea."

Joshua being comfortably settled with a mug of cider at his elbow she
continued:

"Greenways is over at Lenham, and Peter's out on the farm somewheres,
but I expect they'll b