He longed to leave Nellie and to go and speak to her, but an undefined feeling of hurt pride prevented him.

He would not forgive her for having taken the vicar's arm in coming home through the park; so he stayed where he was, pricking his fingers with the holly and rather impatiently pulling the string off the ball which Nellie held.

If Mrs.Goddard wanted to speak to him, she might come of her own accord, he thought, for he felt that he had behaved foolishly in asking if she wished to see his odes.

Somehow, when he thought about it, the odes did not seem so good now as they had seemed that afternoon.
Mrs.Goddard had not seen him at first, and for some time she remained in consultation with Mrs.Ambrose.At last she turned and looking for Nellie saw that she was seated beside John; to his great delight she came towards him.

She looked more lovely than ever, he thought; the dark fur about her throat set off her delicate, sad face like a frame.
"Oh--are you here, too, Mr.Short ?" she said.
"Hard at work, as you see," answered John.