was done he should be sent to the hut.

But no; Hannah wanted no repairs whatever. The hut was large enough for
her and her sister, only too small to entertain visitors. So with this
pointed home-thrust from Hannah, and a glance that at once healed the
wound from Nora, he was forced to take his departure.

The next day he called again; he had, unluckily, left his gloves behind
him during his preceding visit.

They were very nearly flung at his head by the thoroughly exasperated
Hannah. But again he was made happy by a glance from Nora.

And, in short, almost every day he found some excuse for coming to the
cottage, overlooking all Hannah's rude rebuffs with the most
imperturbable good humor. At all these visits Hannah was present. She
never left the house for an instant, even when upon one occasion she saw
the cows in her garden, eating up all the young peas and beans. She let
the garden be utterly destroyed rather than leave Nora to hear words of
love that for her could mean nothing but misery. This went on for some
weeks, when Hannah was driven to decisive measures by an unexpected
event. Early one morning Hannah went to a village called "Baymouth," to
procure coffee, tea, and sugar. She went there, did her errand, and
returned to the hut as quickly as she could possibly could. As she
suddenly opened the door she was struck with consternation by seeing the
wheel idle and Nora and Herman seated close together, conversing in a
low, confidential tone. They started up on seeing her, confusion on
their faces.

Hannah was thoroughly self-possessed. Putting her parcels in Nora's