She was young and saucy, and seeing him walking at the top of his speed on the way to the railway station, she called after him, "Don't be in a hurry, sir! You're in plenty of time for the London train." To her astonishment he suddenly stopped.

His reputation for rudeness was so well established that she moved away to a safe distance, before she ventured to look at him again.

He took no notice of her--he seemed to be considering with himself.

The frolicsome young woman had done him a service: she had suggested an idea.
"Suppose I go to London ?" he thought.

"Why not ?--the school is breaking up for the holidays--and _she_ is going away like the rest of them." He looked round in the direction of the schoolhouse.