"You've got to get used to it," he told himself.
He did not think much of his sister in this connection, but simply decided that his mother, and possibly Elmira, had overrated Lawrence Prescott's attention, and jumped too hastily at conclusions.

It was incredible that any one should fancy his sister in preference to Lucina.

Lawrence had merely called in a friendly way.

He did not once imagine any such feeling on Elmira's part for young Prescott, as on his for Lucina, and had at the time more impatience than pity.
However, he resolved to remonstrate if Lawrence should stay so late again with his sister.
"She may think he means more than he does, girls are so silly," he said.

He did not class Lucina Merritt among girls.
That Sunday night, after dark, though he was resolved not to visit Lucina, he strolled up the road, past her house.