He felt that he blushed and looked abashed, and dreaded, fearfully dreaded, lest Mrs.Woodward should surmise that he estimated at other than its intended worth, her daughter's show of affection for him.
'I shouldn't mind doing it every night,' said he, 'in such weather as this.

I think it rather good fun going into the water with my clothes on.' Katie looked up at him through her tears, as though she would say that she well understood what that meant.
Mrs.Woodward saw that if the story was to be read, the sooner they began it the better.
'Come, Charley,' said she, 'now for the romance.

Katie, come and sit by me.' But Katie had already taken her seat, a little behind Charley, quite in the shade, and she was not to be moved.
'But I won't read it myself,' said Charley; 'you must read it, Mrs.Woodward.' 'O yes, Mrs.Woodward, you are to read it,' said Norman.
'O yes, do read it, manna,' said Linda.
Katie said nothing, but she would have preferred that Charley should have read it himself.
'Well, if I can,' said Mrs.Woodward.
'Snape says I write the worst hand in all Somerset House,' said Charley; 'but still I think you'll be able to manage it.' 'I hate that Mr.Snape,' said Katie, _sotto voce_.

And then Mrs.Woodward unrolled the manuscript and began her task..