"You have got the
whole family on your back, it seems," he said. Maud was silent, but
in her heightened colour and sparkling eye Howard discerned a touch
of happiness, and he enjoyed the quiet attention she gave to his
needs. The Vicar seemed sorry that they had not made a closer
inspection of the village. "But you were right to begin with a
general coup d'oeil," he said; "the whole before the parts! First
the conspectus, then the details," he added delightedly. "So you
have been to the Isle of Thorns?" he went on. "I want to rake out
the old fellow up there some day--but Cousin Anne won't allow it--
you must persuade her; and we will have a splendid field-day there,
unearthing all the old boy's arrangements; I am sure he has never
been disturbed."
"I am afraid I agree with my aunt," said Howard, shaking his head.
"Ah, Maud has been getting at you, I perceive," said the Vicar. "A
very feminine view! Now in the interests of ethnology we ought to
go forward--dear me, how full the world is of interesting things!"
They parted in great good-humour. The whole party were to dine at
the Manor next day; and Howard, as he said good-bye to Maud,
contrived to add, "Now you must tell me to-morrow that you have
made a beginning." She gave him a little nod, and a clasp of the
hand that made him feel that he had a new friend.
That evening he talked to his aunt about Maud. He told her all
about their walk and talk. "I am very glad you gave her something
to do," she said--"that is so like a man! That is just where I
fail.
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