He turned round with a great start and went to meet her. 'Mistress Dorothy, I hope you will forgive me for coming so soon. I just happened to be passing, and so'---- Happened to be passing! In my corner I could not help wondering at Master Caleb. But it was very uncomfortable not to be able to get out--I was hidden by the window-curtain, Mistress Dorothy had not seen me, and my master, I was quite sure, had forgotten all about me. They stood just in the way of the door, and I knew that if I disturbed Master Caleb now, he would never be able to begin speaking to Mistress Dorothy again. There was nothing for it but to read a book, and try not to listen, but my heart was beating fast. I could not help hearing. Dorothy held out her hand with her frank smile. 'I have been wishing to see you, to thank you for your great goodness to my father and to me,' she said. 'It was kind of you to come.' 'It was Janet--my sister--sent me. She said I ought to come now. I should never have thought of such a thing if it had not been for her.' 'I am glad you came,' she answered. She looked very white and small in her black gown, and her face was grave and sad. The steady straightforward look and smile, however, were not the least changed. She pushed a chair towards Master Caleb, but he did not seem to see it, and she remained standing too. 'Mistress Dorothy,' he began again, clearing his throat vehemently, 'dear Mistress Dorothy, forgive me for asking you--what are you going to do?' She hesitated a little, and then said quietly, 'I do not quite know yet. I have been thinking about it, but as yet I have not made up my mind.' 'I thought perhaps I might ask,' went on Master Caleb, 'because'--he made a short stop here, and I heard my own heart beating--'because you know you are your father's daughter.' She smiled then--smiled and sighed too. 'You are always very kind to me,' she said. 'When I have thought of what I had better do, I shall like to tell you, and I know that you will help me.' 'There's but little I can do,' he said bluntly, and then came another silence. He was gathering together all his strength, and she stood waiting for him to speak. I scarcely think she caught his meaning directly when he did. 'I could never have said this, if things had been different,' were his words. 'I should never have thought of it. You must forgive me now. It is only because you have no better home. Oh, Mistress Dorothy, I know it is not good enough to ask you to; but would you--could you come to my home?' The colour rushed into her face. I saw her put out her hand quickly, as if she wanted something to hold by. She made some exclamation, too low for me to hear.