He was for the moment older in some ways than his years.

What had strangely moved him disturbed Leila not at all.

She talked on lightly, laughing at times, and was answered briefly; for although he had no desire to speak, the unfailing courteous ways of his foreign education forced him to disregard his desire to say.
"Oh, do let me alone; you don't understand." He hardly understood himself or the impulsive stir of emotion--a signal of coming manhood.

Annoyed by his unwillingness to talk, she too fell to silence, and they walked homeward.
During the time left to them there was much to do in the way of visits to the older village people and some of the farmer families who had been here on the soil nearly as long as the Penhallows.

There were no other neighbours near enough for country intercourse, and the life at Grey Pine offered few attractions to friends or relatives from the cities unless they liked to tramp with the Squire in search of game.