She had counted only too
prematurely on my companionship, but the farmer's words had led her to
see how unreasonable it was. She was stricken with remorse, too, at
the selfishness of her conduct.

"You see, love," she explained, as we sought her cottage again and drew
our chairs up to the fire--she had turned back her skirt lest the heat
should scorch it--"I was just thinking about myself. I'm a lonely old
woman, love, and it's only natural I should like the company of a nice,
friendly young lady like yourself; but that's just selfishness. You
must think over what Reuben has said, and don't do anything rash,
but----"

"Mother Hubbard," I said, "you need not crumple your apron by turning
it into a handkerchief, nor wet it by shedding useless tears. And I'm
not a hair-brained young lady, fresh from school, but a sensible woman
of thirty-five. Mark my word! At twelve o'clock to-morrow I shall be
with you again, and I shall have lunch with you; and you'll oblige me
by airing my bed for me, and getting things ship-shape, for to-morrow
night I shall be your next-door neighbour."

I went back to Airlee by train from Fawkshill. I had noticed the
railway as I came in the morning, and I felt that the tram would be too
slow. As a matter of fact it took nearly as long and cost me more
money. But my mind was full of Windyridge and I was oblivious to
everything else. When I reached the coffee-room of the hotel I was
calmer, for somehow the old familiar sights and sounds of the city
threw my cottage into the background, and I was able to view the
situation dispassionately.

Had I been a fool? Was not Farmer Goodenough right, after all; and had
not his sound common sense saved me from committing myself to a rash
and quixotic adventure?

"Grace Holden," I said, "you have got to face this question, and not
make an ass of yourself. Weigh up the pros and cons. Get pencil and
paper and make your calculations and strike your balance, and don't for
goodness' sake be emotional."

Then my Inner Self said with great distinctness, "Grace Holden, the
heather has called you! Listen to it!" And I went to bed and slept
the sleep of the just.

My first sensation on awaking was one of exhilaration. Not a single
cloud of doubt or apprehension appeared upon the sky of my hopes; on
the contrary, it was rosy bright with the promise of success. I like
to trust my intuitions, for it seems to me you treat them unfairly and
do not