CHAPTER X.
A RISE IN LIFE Since Mrs.Holman had seen what Silla could busy herself with--she was quite struck with amazement at her own blindness--she had become far more strictly attentive, and also much more on the lookout and watch against Nikolai.
The fruits of idleness had unfortunately revealed themselves, and there was no other remedy for them than to watch conscientiously and see that Silla worked.

She must really set about something that there was some use and help in, all through the long light spring evenings, and not just run for the milk, or out when any one came and asked if she might.
Nikolai soon found that the situation was far from being improved after he was acknowledged in the quality of wooer.

But notwithstanding that he saw no more of her than a short glimpse now and then, a great step in advance had actually been made.

He had now only to work hard, and that he did manfully; the hammer worked, in his hands, as if by steam.
In some ways, too, he was re-assured, for if Mrs.Holman watched against him so carefully, this same watchfulness was a security against others, too.

It was well to know that she was no longer to be found up there among those giddy girls in the evening.