CHAPTER XXXI.
PLOT AND COUNTERPLOT Many a one, by being thought better than he was, has become better.
-- JOWETT.
Not as little as we dare, but as much as we can.
-- BISHOP OF WESTCOTT.
Malcolm wrote to Dinah that afternoon, giving her a full account of his interview with Leah Jacobi; then he spent the rest of the day making up arrears of work.

The last post brought him a reproachful little note from Anna.
"Mother thinks you have forgotten us.

Why are you staying away in this unmannerly fashion, you naughty boy ?" she wrote.

"It is ten whole days since you were here, and we both feel lone and lorn without you"-- and so on.

But under the playful words he could detect a shade of earnestness.
Tired as he was, and needing rest sorely, he answered the letter and posted it before he slept.
Anna read it aloud to Mrs.Herrick the next morning, and they both agreed that it was a charming letter.