Ned went about his work again quietly and doggedly; but his high spirits seemed gone.
His mother's engagement with Mr.Mulready had been openly announced, directly after he had first heard of it.

Charlie had, to Ned's secret indignation, taken it quietly.

He knew little of Mr.Mulready, who had, whenever he saw him, spoken kindly to him, and who now made him frequent presents of books and other things dear to schoolboys.

Little Lucy's liking he had, however, failed to gain, although in his frequent visits he had spared no pains to do so, seldom coming without bringing with him cakes or papers of sweets.

Lucy accepted the presents, but did not love the donor, and confided to Abijah that his teeth were exactly like those of the wolf who ate Little Red Riding Hood.
Ned found much more comfort in her society during those dull days than in Charlie's.