“He’s not that sort. He looks far beyond anything like that. He looks all round the subject in a way that surprised me. Have no fear he won’t do right.” “It won’t be right in my opinion to take damages out of Kellock—that’s revenge.” “Well, he’s only human. But what I’m coming to is this. Ned has got a very righteous down on Kellock, and feels no need to show mercy there, for Kellock showed him none; but he don’t feel the same to Medora.” “Since when?” asked Mrs. Trivett. “He felt the same to her all right last time I saw him.” “But not now. His mind worked at Ivybridge, and he turned over the situation. And, in a word, if Kellock is going to save his skin and be let off, he’ll have to thank Medora for it. I’m saying a delicate thing, of course, and to anybody less wise than you, I wouldn’t say it, because I should be laughed at; but I do believe, if Medora could see Dingle while there’s yet time, and afore he’s loosed his lawyer, Kellock might escape damages. What do you think? Should you say Medora and Ned might speak?” “Medora would speak to him if she thought she could serve Jordan Kellock, I dare say; but whether he’d listen I don’t know.” “In my opinion, if Medora would speak, he’d listen. It ought, however, to be done by stealth. Neither one nor the other must know they’re going to meet. Then it would surprise them both, and Medora might get round him.” “There’s no danger in it for Medora, you reckon?” “None; I’ve heard him on the subject. He may dress her down and tell her a bit of the truth about her conduct, and he may use some very harsh words to her; but more he would not do, and if she took it in a humble spirit, I dare say she’d come out top and get him to drop the damages when he divorces her.” Mrs. Trivett considered. “I don’t see any harm could come of it, even if no good did,” she replied, after a pause. “I’ll sound Medora. She’d be glad to do Kellock a turn, naturally.” “I hope she still feels confident about Kellock. I can’t say she spoke with great warmth about the man last time I met her; but that was a passing cloud, I expect. He’s going to give a lecture, and set the world right, at Totnes, presently, he tells me. I’ve promised to be there.” When some hours later, Mrs. Trivett started to take tea with her daughter, Medora met her by the river, and revealed a restless and melancholy mood. Lydia sighed, and walked beside her. “Well, what’s the best news with you, my dear?” she asked. “There’s no best,” she answered. “We’re just waiting, and I’m ageing and growing into a fright before my time.” “The typewriter’s come, Jordan tells me.” “Yes; it’s come. I’m writing out his speech. But the minute I’ve made a clean sheet, he alters it all and messes it about. It’s getting on his nerves, I believe, and I’ll swear it’s getting on mine. I don’t hear anything else, morning, noon, and night.” “It’s distracting his mind.”