This simple compliment produced a curious effect on Howard. He
realised as he had not done before the singular change in his
position that his aunt's announcement had produced: a country
squire, a proprietor--he could not think of himself in that light--
it was like a curious dream.

After luncheon, Mr. Sandys excused himself for a few minutes; he
had to step over and speak to the sexton. Maud would take Howard
round the garden, show him her room, "just our simple background--
we want you to realise that!"

As soon as they were alone together, Howard said to Maud, "We seem
to have settled Jack's affairs very summarily. I hope you do agree
with me?"

"Yes," said Maud, "I do indeed. It is wonderful to me that you
should know so much about him, with all your other pupils to know.
He isn't a boy who talks much about himself, though he seems to;
and I don't think my father understood what he was feeling. Jack
doesn't like being interfered with, and he was getting to resent
programmes being drawn up. Papa is so tremendously keen about
anything he takes up that he carries one away; and then you come
and smooth out all the difficulties. It isn't always easy--" she
broke off suddenly, and added, "That is what Jack wants, what he
calls something REAL. He is bored with the life here, and yet he is
always good about it."

"Do you like the life here?" said Howard. "I can't tell you what an
effect it all produces on me; it all seems so simple and beautiful.