But there is
nothing I could do; and I can't leave papa."
"Oh, it will all come right!" said Howard feebly; "there are fifty
things that might happen. And now I must be off! Mind, you must let
me have the book some time; that will serve to remind me of Windlow
in the intervals of Greek prose."
He got up and shook hands. He felt he was behaving stupidly and
unkindly. He had meant to tell Maud how much he liked the feeling
of having made friends, and to have talked to her frankly and
simply about everything. He had an intense desire to say that and
more; to make her understand that she was and would be in his
thoughts; to ascertain how she felt towards him; to assure himself
of their friendship. But he would be wise and prudent; he would not
be sentimental or priggish or Jesuitical. He would just leave the
impression that he was mildly interested in Windlow, but that his
heart was in his work. He felt sustained by his delicate
consideration, and by his judicious chilliness. And so he turned
and left her, though an unreasonable impulse seized him to take the
child in his arms, and tell her how sweet and delicious she was.
She had held the little book in her hand as they sate, as if she
had hoped he would ask to look at it; and as he closed the door, he
saw her put it down on the table with a half-sigh.
XIII
GIVING AWAY
He was to go off the next day; that night he had his last talk to
his aunt.
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