He wondered if her father's ambition, which had purchased for her the means of intellectual light and culture far beyond those of any other native of the village, would conduce to the flight of her future interests above and away from the local life which was once to her the movement of the world.
Nevertheless, he had her father's permission to win her if he could; and to this end it became desirable to bring matters soon to a crisis, if he ever hoped to do so.

If she should think herself too good for him, he could let her go and make the best of his loss; but until he had really tested her he could not say that she despised his suit.

The question was how to quicken events towards an issue.
He thought and thought, and at last decided that as good a way as any would be to give a Christmas party, and ask Grace and her parents to come as chief guests.
These ruminations were occupying him when there became audible a slight knocking at his front door.

He descended the path and looked out, and beheld Marty South, dressed for out-door work.
"Why didn't you come, Mr.Winterborne ?" she said.

"I've been waiting there hours and hours, and at last I thought I must try to find you." "Bless my soul, I'd quite forgot," said Giles.
What he had forgotten was that there was a thousand young fir-trees to be planted in a neighboring spot which had been cleared by the wood-cutters, and that he had arranged to plant them with his own hands.