It was Faith's turn to be surprised then, for stepping into the tea-room to look at the clock, she found not only the clock but Mr. Linden,--the former ticking sundry minutes past teatime, the latter enjoying the sunset clouds and his own reflections, and (possibly) his book. Mrs. Derrick, favouring the atmosphere of the little wood fire, which had burnt itself out to coals and ashes, sat at one corner of the hearth, taking up the stiches round the heel of her stocking; which precarious operation engrossed her completely. Mr. Linden however looked up, and took in the whole of the little picture before him. Apparently the picture was pleasant, for he smiled. Faith's look was startled. "I am late!" she said with a compunctious glance at the clock. And as soon as it could be made the tea came in smoking. As Faith took her seat at the table she put her question. "When did you come in, Mr. Linden?" "About a quarter of an hour before you did." "By which way?" "Why!--by the door. It is simpler than the window." The next few seconds seemed to be employed by Faith in buttering bread and eating it, but in reality they were used for carrying on a somewhat hurried calculation of minutes and distances which brought the colour in her cheeks to a hue of pretty richness. "Did I run over anybody in my way?" asked Mr. Linden. "What gives the question its interest?" "I had thought you were out," said Faith quietly. "I know a shorter way to the store than you do," said Mr. Linden with equal quietness. "To the store!" said Faith, eye and lip quite putting quietness out of the question. "Yes, I found your footprints there the other day, and I have been wanting to tell you ever since that it is not anything like so far up to my room. Let me recommend that way to you for the future." Faith's colour was no matter of degrees now, for it rushed over temples and cheek in a flood. And seemed inclined to be a permanency. "There you may take what you like," he went on, with a smile that was both amused and encouraging, "and I shall be none the wiser--unless you tell me yourself. If you do tell me, I shall be very glad. Now Miss Faith--what shall we do about Judge Harrison?" Faith hesitated, and struggled perhaps, for it did not seem very easy to speak with that deep flush on her brow; and then she said rather low, "I am not ungrateful, Mr. Linden." "Neither am I--but this proposal of his gives me some trouble. I think if he would have all the fun, without any of the shewing off, it would answer every good purpose and avoid all the bad ones. And if you will intimate as much to your mother, Miss Faith, and persuade her to convey the information to Judge Harrison, it will perhaps be the best way of reply. Of course as trustee he has still the right of doing as he likes." "Mother, do you hear?" said Faith, "or do you want me to repeat it?"