But he also intended to bend the bow in reason, let life have its say, and their home its domestic happiness. He believed that, when they were married, they would soon become everything in the world to one another. He went to sleep in a very happy, exalted frame of mind, and felt that life had taken an unexpected stride in the right direction. CHAPTER XXIII THE WISDOM OF PHILANDER When Ned Dingle returned home, his future still unsettled, he had the privilege of an early visit from Mr. Knox. They sat in Ned’s small kitchen garden, and Philander advised him to plant his peas. “Damn the peas,” said Ned. “Listen to me. I was as good as booked at Ivybridge when I got your letter telling me to hang on. What’s the good all the same? I don’t know why for I should have listened to you, but I know you’ve got sense, and so I left it for the minute. I can’t go back to Trenchard, if that’s what you meant.” “I meant a lot of things,” answered the elder. “I think so deuced highly of you, Dingle, that you’ve got on my mind more than any man ever did before, and I’m very wishful, for more reasons than one, to do you a turn. For the minute, however, it rests with you.” “I know it does. I’m fed up with hearing that. Well, I’m going on with it. I’m going to get the heaviest damages the law will give me out of that swine.” “Good—so far as it goes. And if things weren’t exactly as they are, I should say ditto. But it’s a very peculiar case, quite contrary to my experience, and it calls for a pinch of patience yet. Nobody has any right to dictate to you, because you’re a man of good judgment, and I reckon you’ve done dead right so far, and kept your nerve better than I should, or many older men with less intellects; but don’t you spoil the ship for a hap’p’oth of tar, Ned. It’s paid you so mighty well to wait and hang off, that it may pay you better still to go on waiting.” “It only hurts her—it don’t hurt him. They’ll say I’m bullying a woman, next, and putting him in the right.” “Only the ignorant would talk like that. But I know your mother-in-law, and I also know Medora. The females of that family want very careful handling, Ned; and in confidence, I may tell you that Mrs. Trivett is being very carefully handled—by me. But Medora is not being carefully handled—quite the contrary. Kellock don’t understand the female mind—how could he with a face like his?” “What’s that to me?” “That’s the question. Not that I want an answer. I’m only wishful to put certain facts before you.” “How did she ever think, in her silliest moments, that man would have any lasting use for her?” “He got on her blind side, I suppose; for even a remarkable woman, like Medora, has her blind side. Who hasn’t? But the interesting thing for you—and only for you—to consider, is that Medora sees straight again.”