one Friday he sat over his work till late, without any reading or
talking at all; so late that at last Mrs. Bell said, "If you're
going to sit much longer, Mr. Dunn, I'll get you to put out the
candles." Thereby showing, had he known it or had she, that the
mother's confidence in the young man was growing fast. Hetta knew
all about it, and dreaded that the growth was too quick.

"I've finished now," said Aaron; and he looked carefully at the
cardboard on which he had been washing in his water-colours. "I've
finished now." He then hesitated a moment; but ultimately he put
the card into his portfolio and carried it up to his bedroom. Who
does not perceive that it was intended as a present to Susan Bell?

The question which Aaron asked himself that night, and which he
hardly knew how to answer, was this. Should he offer the drawing to
Susan in the presence of her mother and sister, or on some occasion
when they two might be alone together? No such occasion had ever
yet occurred, but Aaron thought that it might probably be brought
about. But then he wanted to make no fuss about it. His first
intention had been to chuck the drawing lightly across the table
when it was completed, and so make nothing of it. But he had
finished it with more care than he had at first intended; and then
he had hesitated when he had finished it. It was too late now for
that plan of chucking it over the table.

On the Saturday evening when he came down from his room, Mr. Beckard
was there, and there was no opportunity that night. On the Sunday,
in conformity with a previous engagement, he went to hear Mr.
Beckard preach, and walked to and from meeting with the family.
This pleased Mrs. Bell, and they were all very gracious that