"Please come back. I'm sorry."

His repentance came too late, however. His wife pretended not to hear.
He grew desperate.

"If you don't come back, I'll never make up with you, either. Please,
please, come back."

Either she did not hear, or else she was too grieved to be moved by his
entreaties. She did not return, but wended her way back to her
mother's home.

Now this unfortunate matrimonial experience made Beth reckless.
Unluckily, upon reaching home, she discovered that both her mother and
Marian had gone into town to spend the day with the Corners. Still
worse, temptation assailed her in the form of an invitation from Harvey
Baker.

Beth had not seen him for several days. She had been so absorbed in
her new love that she had scarcely even thought of him. Harvey, on his
part, had thought of her very often. He had haunted the Davenport
wharf, but no Beth appeared. At first, pride had held him back from
seeking her out, but her very indifference finally proved an
irresistible attraction. Such is the masculine nature.

He came on this morning of all others to invite her out for a row.
She, at first, resisted the temptation.

"Oh, Harvey, what a shame. Mamma is not here, so I cannot go."