Pleasant and unaffected as was the young fellow's manner to his landlord, there was a nonchalance about it which conveyed that he was quite aware of the social distance between them. And this assumption of superiority--never coarse or ponderous, like his mother's, but worn with the airiest lightness--was far from displeasing to old Max. The more of a gentleman born and bred Algernon Errington showed himself to be, the higher would Rhoda's position be, if--but old Max had almost discarded that form of presenting the future to his own mind; and was apt to say to himself, "when Rhoda marries young Errington." And then the solid advantages of the position were, so far at least, on old Max's side. Wealth and wisdom made a powerful combination, he reflected. And he was not at all afraid of being borne down or overwhelmed by any amount of gentility. Nevertheless, his spirit was in some subjection to this patrician youth, who sat opposite to him on a tea-chest, swinging his legs so affably. There was a pause. At length Maxfield said, "And how long do you think o' being away? Or are you going to say good-bye to Whitford for evermore?" "Indeed I hope not!" "Oh! Then there is some folks here as you would care to see again?" said Maxfield slowly, beginning to tie up another parcel with sedulous care, and not raising his eyes from it. "Of course there are! I--I should think you must know that, Mr. Maxfield! But I want to put myself in a better position with the world before I can--before I come back to the people I most care for." "Very good. But it's like to be some time first, I'm afraid." "As to seeing dear old Whitford again, you know I mean to run down here in the summer; or at least early in the autumn, when Parliament rises." "Oh, you do?" "To be sure! And then I hope to--to settle several things." "Ah!" "To a man of your experience, Mr. Maxfield, I needn't say how important it is for me to go to Lord Seely, ready and willing to undertake any employment he may offer me." "Ah!" "I mean, of course, that I should be absolutely free and unfettered, and ready to--to--to avail myself of opportunities. You see that, of course?" Maxfield looked sage, and nodded. But he also looked a little glum. The conversation had not taken the turn he expected. "Once let me get something definite--a Government post, you know, such as my cousin could get for me as easily as you could take an apprentice--and then I may please myself. I may consider myself on the first round of the ladder. And there won't be the same necessity for deferring to this person and that person. But I don't know why I'm saying all this to you, Mr. Maxfield. You understand the whole matter better than I do. By Jove, I wish I'd some of your ballast in my noddle. I'm such a feather-headed fellow!"