She was surprised, however; she could not understand why he should think she was in trouble, and indeed she was in no greater distress than she had suffered during the greater part of the last three years.
"You are very kind, Mr.Juxon.But there is nothing the matter--I have a headache." "Oh," said the squire, "I beg your pardon." He looked away and seemed embarrassed.
"You have done too much already," said Mrs.Goddard, fearing that she had not sufficiently acknowledged his offer of assistance.
"I cannot do too much.

That is impossible," he said in a tone of conviction.

"I have very few friends, Mrs.Goddard, and I like to think that you are one of the best of them." "I am sure--I don't know what to say, Mr.Juxon," she answered, somewhat startled by the directness of his speech.

"I am sure you have always been most kind, and I hope you do not think me ungrateful." "I?
You?
No--dear me, please never mention it! The fact is, Mrs.
Goddard--" he stopped and smoothed Ms hair.

"What particularly disagreeable weather," he remarked irrelevantly, looking out of the window at the driving sleet.
Mrs.Goddard looked down and slowly stirred her tea.