matter of fact, I had taken a room at
the George Hotel for a week, but I suppose I had better get back home
again."

"No; why should you?" said Mrs. Bowman, with a rebellious glance at Mr.
Clark. "Stay, and come in and see me sometimes and talk over old times.
And Mr. Clark will be glad to see you, I'm sure. Won't you Nath--Mr.
Clark?"

"I shall be--delighted," said Mr. Clark, staring hard at the
mantelpiece. "Delighted."

Mr. Tucker thanked them both, and after groping for some time for the
hand of Mr. Clark, who was still intent upon the mantelpiece, pressed it
warmly and withdrew. Mrs. Bowman saw him to the door, and a low-voiced
colloquy, in which Mr. Clark caught the word "afternoon," ensued. By
the time the widow returned to the room he was busy building with the
draughts again.

Mr. Tucker came the next day at three o'clock, and the day after at
two. On the third morning he took Mrs. Bowman out for a walk, airily
explaining to Mr. Clark, who met them on the way, that they had come out
to call for him. The day after, when Mr. Clark met them returning from
a walk, he was assured that his silence of the day before was understood
to indicate a distaste for exercise.

[Illustration: On the third morning 194]

"And, you see, I like a long walk," said Mrs. Bowman, "and you are not
what I should call a good walker."

"You never used to complain," said Mr. Clark; "in fact, it was generally
you that used to suggest turning back."

"She wants to be amused as well," remarked Mr. Tucker; "then she doesn't
feel the fatigue."

Mr. Clark glared at him, and then, shortly declining Mrs. Bowman's
invitation to accompany them home, on the ground that he required
exercise, proceeded on his way. He carried himself so stiffly, and his
manner was so fierce, that a well-meaning neighbor who had crossed
the road to join him, and offer a little sympathy if occasion offered,
talked of the weather for five minutes and inconsequently faded away at
a corner.

Trimington as a whole watched the affair with amusement, although Mr.
Clark's friends adopted an inflection of voice in speaking to him which
reminded him strongly of funerals. Mr. Tucker's week was up, but the
landlord of the George was responsible for the statement that he had
postponed his departure indefinitely.

Matters being in this state, Mr. Clark went round to the widow's one
evening with the air of a man who has made up his mind to decisive
action. He entered the