Also, it was tacitly understood that it was to be a long engagement.

They did not ask Martin to go to work, nor to cease writing.

They did not intend to encourage him to mend himself.

And he aided and abetted them in their unfriendly designs, for going to work was farthest from his thoughts.
"I wonder if you'll like what I have done!" he said to Ruth several days later.

"I've decided that boarding with my sister is too expensive, and I am going to board myself.