"If there be any good in me, I owe it to you, sir. Think what a drunken, violent brute I was when I first met you. Those walks with you, and I may say that other gentleman's talk, and then that long kind letter I had from you, not signed in your name, and written from abroad,--all these changed me, as the child is changed at nurse." "You have evidently read a good deal since we parted." "Yes; I belong to our young men's library and institute; and when of an evening I get hold of a book, especially a pleasant story-book, I don't care for other company." "Have you never seen any other girl you could care for, and wish to marry?" "Ah, sir," answered Tom, "a man does not go so mad for a girl as I did for Jessie Wiles, and when it is all over, and he has come to his senses, put his heart into joint again as easily as if it were only a broken leg. I don't say that I may not live to love and to marry another woman: it is my wish to do so. But I know that I shall love Jessie to my dying day; but not sinfully, sir,--not sinfully. I would not wrong her by a thought." There was a long pause. At last Kenelm said, "You promised to be kind to that little girl with the flower-ball; what has become of her?" "She is quite well, thank you, sir. My aunt has taken a great fancy to her, and so has my mother. She comes to them very often of an evening, and brings her work with her. A quick, intelligent little thing, and full of pretty thoughts. On Sundays, if the weather is fine, we stroll out together in the fields." "She has been a comfort to you, Tom." "Oh, yes." "And loves you?" "I am sure she does; an affectionate, grateful child." "She will be a woman soon, Tom, and may love you as a woman then." Tom looked indignant and rather scornful at that suggestion, and hastened to revert to the subject more immediately at his heart. "Miss Travers said you would like to call on Will Somers and his wife; will you? Moleswich is not far from London, you know." "Certainly, I will call." "I do hope you will find them happy; and if so, perhaps you will kindly let me know; and--and--I wonder whether Jessie's child is like her? It is a boy; somehow or other I would rather it had been a girl." "I will write you full particulars. But why not come with me?" "No, I don't think I could do that, just at present. It unsettled me sadly when I did again see her sweet face at Graveleigh, and she was still afraid of me too! that was a sharp pang." "She ought to know what you have done for her, and will." "On no account, sir; promise me that. I should feel mean if I humbled them,--that way." "I understand, though I will not as yet make you any positive promise. Meanwhile, if you are staying in town, lodge with me; my landlady can find you a room." "Thank you heartily, sir; but I go back by the evening train; and, bless me! how late it is now! I must wish you good-by. I have some commissions to do for my aunt, and I must buy a new doll for Susey."