ositive wrong-doing than
to any such youthful follies as these, while they are young; and when
they are old they would rather be thought young and foolish than confess
the evil deeds they have actually done.

John, however, did not moralise upon his situation. The weather was again
fine and as he dressed his spirits rose. He became magnanimous and
resolved to forget yesterday and make the most of today. He would see
Mrs. Goddard of course; perhaps he would show her a little coldness at
first, giving her to understand that she had not treated him well on the
previous afternoon; then he would interest her by his talk--he would
repeat to her one of those unlucky odes and translate it for her benefit,
making use of the freedom he would thus get in order to make her an
unlimited number of graceful compliments. Perhaps, too, he ought to pay
more attention to Nellie, if he wished to conciliate her mother. Women,
he reflected, have such strange prejudices!

He wondered whether it would be proper for him to call upon Mrs. Goddard.
He was not quite sure about it, and he was rather ashamed of having so
little knowledge of the world; but he believed that in Billingsfield he
might run the risk. There had been talk of skating again that morning,
and so, about ten o'clock, John told Mr. Ambrose he would go for a short
walk and then join them all at the pond in the park. The project seemed
good, and he put it into execution. As he walked up the frozen road, he
industriously repeated in his mind the Greek verses he was going to
translate to Mrs. Goddard; he had no copy of them but his memory was very
good. He met half a dozen labourers, strolling about with their pipes
until it was time to go and have a pint of beer, as is their manner upon
holidays; they touched their hats to him, remembering his face well, and
he smiled happily at the rough fellows, contrasting his situation with
theirs, who from the misfortune of social prejudice were not permitted to
go and call upon Mrs. Goddard. His heart beat rather fast as he went up
to the door of the cottage, and for one unpleasant moment he again
doubted whether it was proper for him to make such an early visit. But
being bent on romantic adventure he rang boldly and inquired for Mrs.
Goddard.

She was surprised to see John at that hour and alone; but it did not
enter her head to refuse him admittance. Indeed as he stood in the little
passage he heard the words which passed between her and