He had resolved that he would refrain from further love-making till the winter; but he found it very hard to refrain when so addressed. To take her in his arms, and kiss her twenty times, and swear that he would never let her go,--to claim her at once savagely as his own, that was the line of conduct to which temptation prompted him. How could she look at him so sweetly, how could she stand before him, ministering to him with all her pretty maidenly charms brought so close to him, without intending that he should love her? But he did refrain. "Blood is thicker than water," said he. "That's the real reason why I first came." "I understand that quite, and it is that feeling that makes you so good. But I'm afraid you are spending a great deal of money here--and all for our sakes." "Not at all. I shall get my money back again. And if I didn't, what then? I've plenty of money. It is not money that I want." She could not ask him what it was that he did want, and she was obliged therefore to begin again. "Papa will look forward so to the winter now." "And so shall I." "But you must come for longer then;--you won't go away at the end of a week? Say that you won't." "I'll see about it. I can't tell quite yet. You'll write me a line to say when the shed is finished, won't you?" "That I will, and I'll tell you how Bessy goes on." Bessy was the cow. "I will be so very fond of her. She'll come to me for apples already." Belton thought that he would go to her, wherever she might be, even if he were to get no apples. "It's all cupboard love with them," he said. "I'll tell you what I'll do;--when I come, I'll bring you a dog that will follow you without thinking of apples." Then the gig was heard on the gravel before the door, and Belton was forced to go. For a moment he reflected whether, as her cousin, it was not his duty to kiss her. It was a matter as to which he had doubt,--as is the case with many male cousins; but ultimately he resolved that if he kissed her at all he would not kiss her in that light, and so he again refrained. "Good-bye," he said, putting out his great hand to her. "Good-bye, Will, and God bless you." I almost think he might have kissed her, asking himself no questions as to the light in which it was done.