He was a little annoyed that Keswick's answer should be so long in coming, but he resolved not to worry himself about it.

The answer was, probably, a difficult letter to write, and one which Keswick would not be likely to dash off in a hurry.

He remembered, too, that the mail was sent and received only twice a week at Howlett's.
Old Mrs Keswick was kind to him, but grave, and rather silent.

Once she passed the open door of the parlor, by the window of which sat Miss Annie and Lawrence, deeply engaged, their heads together, in studying out something on a map, and as she went up-stairs she grimly grinned, and said to herself: "If that Null could look in and see them now, I reckon our young man would wish he had the use of all his arms and legs." But if Mr Null should disapprove of his wife and that gentleman from New York spending so much of their time together, old Mrs Keswick had not the least objection in the world.

She was well satisfied that Mr Croft should find it interesting enough to stay here until the time came when he should be able to go to Midbranch.