'Don't take my word for anything I've told you.

Good-bye, darling, and bless you.' Maisie stole away like a little gray mouse.

Dick watched her till she was out of sight, but he did not hear her say to herself, very soberly, 'I'm a wretch,--a horrid, selfish wretch.

But it's Dick, and Dick will understand.' No one has yet explained what actually happens when an irresistible force meets the immovable post, though many have thought deeply, even as Dick thought.

He tried to assure himself that Maisie would be led in a few weeks by his mere presence and discourse to a better way of thinking.