He strode off in a towering rage, determined to hold no more communication with Miss Sparkes, and blaming himself for having got into such an ambiguous position towards her.

As if he had ever really cared one snap of the fingers for the red-headed spitfire! She to tell him to his face that his word was not to be trusted! He had never stood that yet, from man or woman! At this rate he would presently have no female friends at all.

Mrs.
Clover he had not once seen since the evening at Mrs.Bubb's, and every day that went by put a greater distance between them.

He understood her unfriendliness; she thought this the best way of destroying any hopes he might still entertain with reference to Minnie; yes, that was the only possible explanation of her silence.

It was too bad; Mrs.Clover might have put more faith in him.