Ten o'clock was the signal for departure. As they were going out--William, Anna, and Herbert Dare, who took the opportunity to leave with them--Henry Ashley limped after them, and drew William aside in the hall. "Honour bright, mind, my friend!" William did not understand. "Honour bright, always," said he. "But what do you mean?" "You'll not get making love to her on your way home!" William could not help laughing. He turned his amused face full on Henry. "Be at rest. I would not care to make love to her, had I full leave and license from the Quaker society, granted me in public meeting." "Do you think I did not see her brightened countenance when you told her she was to go home with you?" retorted Henry. "I saw it too. I conclude she was pleased that her father was not coming for her, little undutiful thing! However it may have been, rely upon it that brightening was not for me." Pressing his hand warmly, with a pressure that no false friend ever gave, William hastened away. It was time. Herbert Dare and Anna had not waited for him, but were ever so far ahead. "Very polite of you!" cried William, when he caught them up. "Anna, had you gone pitching into that part of the path they are mending, I should have been responsible, you know. You might have waited for me." He spoke good-humouredly, making a joke of it. Herbert Dare did not appear to receive it as one. He retorted haughtily. "Do you suppose I am not capable of taking care of Miss Lynn? As much so as you, at any rate." "Possibly," coolly returned William, not losing his good-humoured tone. Herbert Dare had given Anna his arm. William walked near her on the other side. Thus they reached Mr. Lynn's. "Good night," said Herbert, shaking hands with her. "Good night to you, Halliburton." "Good night," replied William. Herbert Dare set off running. William knocked at the door and waited until it was opened. Then he also shook hands with Anna, and saw her in. Frank and Gar were putting up their books for the night when William entered. The boarders had gone to bed. Jane, a very unusual thing for her, was sitting by the fire, doing nothing. "Am I not idle, William?" she said. William bent to kiss her. "There's no need for you to be anything but idle now, mother." "No need! William, you know better. There's great need that none should be idle: none in the world. But I have a bad headache to-night." "William," called out Gar, "they brought this round for you from East's. Young Tom came with it." It was the case of fossils and the microscope. William observed that they need not have sent them, as he should want them there the next evening. "Patience said she had not had time to use the microscope," he continued. "I think I will take it in to her. I suppose she has been buying linen, and wants to see if the threads are even." "The Lynns will have gone to bed by this time," said Jane.