Next the clock engages his attention; it is ticking, and that seems to impress him as novel and curious.

By this time he has reached the door; it opens to his touch, and in a fit of abstraction he leaves the room." "You don't follow him into the parlour ?" asks Grizel, anxiously.
"Follow whom ?" Tommy replies severely.

"I don't even know that he has gone to the parlour; now that I think of it, I have not even noticed that he has left the kitchen; nor has Aaron noticed it.

Aaron and I are not in a condition to notice such things; we are conscious only that at last we have the opportunity for the quiet social chat we so much enjoy in each other's company.

That, at least, is Aaron's way of looking at it, and he keeps me there with talk of the most varied and absorbing character; one topic down, another up; when very hard put to it, he even questions me about my next book, as if he would like to read the proof-sheets, and when I seem to be listening, a little restively, for sounds from the parlour (the piano has stopped), he has the face of one who would bar the door rather than lose my society.
Aaron appreciates me at my true value at last, Grizel.