On the evening after the funeral and for the next day or two she was strangely quiet, and seemed to be waiting for Taffy to make some sign. Dearly as mother and son loved one another, they had to find their new positions, each toward each. Now Taffy had known nothing of his parents’ income. He assumed that it was little enough, and that he must now leave Oxford and work to support the household. He knew some Latin and Greek; but without a degree he had little chance of teaching what he knew. He was a fair carpenter, and a more than passable smith.... He revolved many schemes, but chiefly found himself wondering what it would cost to enter an architect’s office. “I suppose,” said he, “father left no will?” “Oh yes, he did,” said Humility, and produced it: a single sheet of foolscap signed on her wedding day. It gave her all her husband’s property absolutely--whatever it might be. “Well,” said Taffy, “I’m glad. I suppose there’s enough for you to rent a small cottage, while I look about for work?” “Who talks about your finding work? You will go back to Oxford, of course.” “Oh, shall I?” said Taffy, taken aback. “Certainly; it was your father’s wish.” “But the money?” “With your scholarship there’s enough to keep you there for the four years. After that, no doubt, you will be earning a good income.” “But--” He remembered what had been said about the lace-money, and could not help wondering. “Taffy,” said his mother, touching his hand, “leave all this to me until your degree is taken. You have a race to run and must not start unprepared. If you could have seen _his_ joy when the news came of the demy-ship!” Taffy kissed her and went up to his room. He found his books laid out on the little table there. 4. “TREDINNIS, February 13, 18--.” “MY DEAR TAFFY,--I have a valentine for you, if you care to accept it; but I don’t suppose you will, and indeed I hope in my heart that you will not. But I must offer it. Your father’s living is vacant, and my trustees (that is to say, Sir Harry; for the other, a second cousin of mine who lives in London, never interferes) can put in someone as a stop-gap, thus allowing me to present you to it when the time comes, if you have any thought of Holy Orders. You will understand exactly why I offer it; and also, I hope, you will know that I think it wholly unworthy of you. But turn it over in your mind and give me your answer.” “George and I are to be married at the end of April. May is an unlucky month. It shall be a week--even a fortnight--earlier, if that fits in with your vacation, and you care to come. See how obliging I am! I yield to you what I have refused to Sir Harry. We shall try to persuade the Bishop to come and open the church on the same day.” “Always your friend,” “HONORIA.” 5. “TREDINNIS, February 21. 18--.”