Squire Norman would have been surprised had he been asked to describe Margaret Rowly and found himself compelled to present the picture of a woman, not a child.
Now, however, when his thoughts went womanward and wifeward, he awoke to the fact that Margaret came within the category of those he sought.

His usual decision ran its course.

Semi-brotherly feeling gave place to a stronger and perhaps more selfish feeling.

Before he even knew it, he was head over ears in love with his pretty neighbour.
Norman was a fine man, stalwart and handsome; his forty years sat so lightly on him that his age never seemed to come into question in a woman's mind.

Margaret had always liked him and trusted him; he was the big brother who had no duty in the way of scolding to do.