He naturally began to console himself with business as
unstintedly as he dared. "As long as I keep on this tack all seems
well," he muttered. "She don't act as if I was disagreeable to her, but
then how can a man tell? If she thinks it her duty, she'll talk and
smile, yet shiver at the very thought of my touching her. Well, well,
time will show. We seem to be getting more sociable, anyhow."

They both recognized this fact and tried to disguise it and to relieve
themselves from the appearance of making any undue advances by greater
formality of address. In Jane's presence he had formed the habit of
speaking to his wife as Mrs. Holcroft, and now he was invariably "Mr."

One evening in the latter part of June, he remarked at supper, "I must
give half a day to hoeing the garden tomorrow. I've been so busy
working out the corn and potatoes that it seems an age since I've been
in the garden."

"She and me," began Jane, "I mean Mrs. Holcroft and I, have been in the
garden."

"That's right, Jane, You're coming on. I think your improved talk and
manners do Mrs. Holcroft much credit. I'd like to take some lessons
myself." Then, as if a little alarmed at his words, he hastened to
ask, "What have you been doing in the garden?"

"You'll see when you go there," replied Jane, her small eyes twinkling
with the rudiments of fun.

Holcroft looked at the child as if he had not seen her for some time
either. Her hair was neatly combed, braided, and tied with a blue
ribbon instead of a string, her gown was as becoming as any dress could
be to her, her little brown hands were clean, and they no longer
managed the knife and fork in an ill-bred manner. The very expression
of the child's face was changing, and now that it was lighted up with
mirth at the little surprise awaiting him, it had at least attained the
negative grace of being no longer repulsive. He sighed involuntarily
as he turned away. "Just see what she's doing for that child that I
once thought hideous! How much she might do for me if she cared as I
do!"

He rose from the table, lighted his pipe, and went out to the doorstep.
Alida looked at him wistfully. "He stood there with me once and faced a
mob of men," she thought. "Then he put his arm around me. I would face
almost any danger for even such a caress again." The memory of that
hour lent her unwonted courage, and she approached him timidly and
said, "Perhaps you would like to go and look at the garden? J