frey's ears, he stated so
emphatically that he must think the matter over before any such thing
could be allowed that, rather unwisely on Dick's part, whatever it might
have been on the lady's, the lovers were careful to be seen together no
more in public; and Geoffrey, forgetting the report, did not think over
the matter at all. So Mr. Shiner resumed his old position in Geoffrey's
brain by mere flux of time. Even Shiner began to believe that Dick
existed for Fancy no more,--though that remarkably easy-going man had
taken no active steps on his own account as yet.

"And father has not only told Mr. Shiner that," continued Fancy, "but he
has written me a letter, to say he should wish me to encourage Mr.
Shiner, if 'twas convenient!"

"I must start off and see your father at once!" said Dick, taking two or
three vehement steps to the south, recollecting that Mr. Day lived to the
north, and coming back again.

"I think we had better see him together. Not tell him what you come for,
or anything of the kind, until he likes you, and so win his brain through
his heart, which is always the way to manage people. I mean in this way:
I am going home on Saturday week to help them in the honey-taking. You
might come there to me, have something to eat and drink, and let him
guess what your coming signifies, without saying it in so many words."

"We'll do it, dearest. But I shall ask him for you, flat and plain; not
wait for his guessing." And the lover then stepped close to her, and
attempted to give her one little kiss on the cheek, his lips alighting,
however, on an outlying tract of her back hair by reason of an impulse
that had caused her to turn her head with a jerk. "Yes, and I'll put on
my second-best suit and a clean shirt and collar, and black my boots as
if 'twas a Sunday. 'Twill have a good appearance, you see, and that's a
great deal to start with."

"You won't wear that old waistcoat, will you, Dick?"

"Bless you, no! Why I--"

"I didn't mean to be personal, dear Dick," she said, fearing she had hurt
his feelings. "'Tis a very nice waistcoat, but what I meant was, that
though it is an excellent waistcoat for a settled-down man, it is not
quite one for" (she waited, and a blush expanded over her face, and then
she went on again)--"for going courting in."

"No, I'll wear my best winter one, with the leather lining, that mother
made. It is a beautiful, handsome waistcoat inside, yes, as ever anybody
saw