"I was amazed at first," he said to Grizel, "to find Aaron determinedly enduring me, but now I understand.

He wants what we want.

He says not a word about it, but he is watching those two courting like a born match-maker.

Aaron has several reasons for hoping that Elspeth will get our friend (as he would express it): one, that this would keep her in Thrums; another, that to be the wife of a doctor is second only in worldly grandeur to marrying the manse; and thirdly and lastly, because he is convinced that it would be such a staggerer to me.

For he thinks I have not a notion of what is going on, and that, if I had, I would whisk her away to London." He gave Grizel the most graphic, solemn pictures of those evenings in the cottage.