"When I try to see her, I'll come and knock at this door; and if I
write to her, I'll write to her full address by the post. I never
did and never will do anything in secret."

"I know you're good and honest," said the widow with her
handkerchief to her eyes.

"Then why do you separate us?" asked he, almost roughly. "I suppose
I may see her at any rate before I go. My time's nearly up now, I
guess."

And then Susan was called for, and she and Hetta came down together.
Susan crept in behind her sister. Her eyes were red with weeping,
and her appearance was altogether disconsolate. She had had a lover
for a week, and now she was to be robbed of him.

"Good-bye, Susan," said Aaron, and he walked up to her without
bashfulness or embarrassment. Had they all been compliant and
gracious to him he would have been as bashful as his love; but now
his temper was hot. "Good-bye, Susan," and she took his hand, and
he held hers till he had finished. "And remember this, I look upon
you as my promised wife, and I don't fear that you'll deceive me.
At any rate I shan't deceive you."

"Good-bye, Aaron," she sobbed.

"Good-bye, and God bless you, my own darling!" And then without
saying a word to any one else, he turned his back upon them and went
his way.