rsons
he had met so often in his short holiday, had never so much as mentioned
him.

One afternoon in January the squire found himself alone with Mrs.
Goddard. It was a great exception, and she herself doubted whether she
were wise to receive him when she had not Nellie with her. Nellie had
gone to the vicarage to help Mrs. Ambrose with some work she had in hand
for her poor people, but Mrs. Goddard had a slight headache and had
stayed at home in consequence. The weather was very bad; heavy clouds
were driving overhead and the north-east wind howled and screamed through
the leafless oaks of the park, driving a fine sleet against the cottage
windows and making the dead creepers rattle against the wall. It was a
bitter January day, and Mrs. Goddard felt how pleasant a thing it was to
stay at home with a book beside her blazing fire. She was all alone, and
Nellie would not be back before four o'clock. Suddenly a well-known step
echoed upon the slate flags without and there was a ring at the bell.
Mrs. Goddard had hardly time to think what she should do, as she laid her
book upon her knee and looked nervously over her shoulder towards the
door. It was awkward, she thought, but it could not be helped. In such
weather it seemed absurd to send the squire away because her little girl
was not with her. He had come all the way down from the Hall to spend
this dreary afternoon at the cottage--she could not send him away. There
were sounds in the passage as of some one depositing a waterproof coat
and an umbrella, the door opened and Mr. Juxon appeared upon the
threshold.

"Come in," said Mrs. Goddard, banishing her scruples as soon as she saw
him. "I am all alone," she added rather apologetically. The squire, who
was a simple man in many ways, understood the remark and felt slightly
embarrassed.

"Is Miss Nellie out?" he asked, coming forward and taking Mrs. Goddard's
hand. He had not yet reached the point of calling the child plain
"Nellie;" he would have thought it an undue familiarity.

"She is gone to the vicarage," answered Mrs. Goddard. "What a dreadful
day! You must be nearly frozen. Will you have a cup of tea?"

"No thanks--no, you are very kind. I have had a good walk; I am not
cold--never am. As you say, in such weather I could not resist the
temptation to come in. This is a capital day to test that India-rubber
tubing we have put round your windows. Excuse me--I will just look and
see if the air comes through."