or happy, she could come
back in half a day, as the other girls could come down from London. But
then he would despise her, for as quiet and good-natured as he is, and
though people have said that he himself had no proper pride in
consenting to have a shop. And I don't think May could bear contempt
from anybody whom she had ever looked on as a friend. Men are hard--the
best of them are, and they don't understand. He is kind--I am sure he
means it all in kindness; but he is not yielding; he is as masterful as
when he dragged the dogs to the edge of the bank and let them drop into
the Dewes for their good. He will never be turned from what he thinks
right. I wish he had not guessed what I could not help remembering--he
was quick enough in doing that; and I could not tell him that I did not
imagine for a moment--I was not so foolish--that he was under the same
delusion he suffered from twelve months ago. If he had been oftener
here in the interval, and we had met and been together naturally as we
used to be, sometimes, I should have forgotten all about it, and so
would he, no doubt. But how could I help thinking of it when there has
always been such a point made of mother or some one else being present
when he called? I am certain it is quite unnecessary and a great
mistake. He will not speak to me again as he spoke that day. There is no
danger of his running away with me," Dora told herself with an unsteady
laugh. "I hope he is not under the impression that I did not think and
act for myself when I was forced to do it. Because, although they all
knew about it, and of course Annie and the others teased me about
'Robinson's,' and the colour of his hair, and his size, father and
mother told me to decide for myself, and I did not hesitate for a
moment. I could no more have borne to leave them all of my own free will
than May could. Surely it was proof positive I did not like him in that
way," Dora represented to herself with the greatest emphasis.

Tom Robinson was marching home with his hands in his pockets and his hat
drawn over his eyes. "How hard she must think me--little short of a
pragmatical, supercilious brute--not to do my best to keep 'little May'
at home, where the child wants to be. I asked her to let me call myself
her friend, and this is the first specimen of my friendship! she will
take precious good care not to ask for another. She will be horribly
dull left by herself without one girl companion, only the old