\"it is nearly seven,\" she said. \"the evenings are getting longer now.

e, papa.\" she did not breathe freely till they were some distancefrom the house. then, as she became more calm, she wished that shehad not been in so great a hurry; for, somehow, they saw mr. thorntonbut very seldom now; and he might hāve e to see higgins, and forthe old friendship\"s sake she should like to hāve seen him to-night.

yes! he came very seldom, even for the dull cold purpose of lessons.

mr. hale was disappointed in his pupil\"s lukewarmness about greekliterature, which had but a short time ago so great an interest for him.

and now it often happened that a hurried note from mr. thorntonwould arrive, just at the last moment, saying that he was so muchengaged that he could not e to read with mr. hale that evening.

and though other pupils had taken more than his place as to time, noone was like his first scholar in mr. hale\"s heart. he was depressed andsad at this partial cessation of an intercourse which had bee dear tohim; and he used to sit pondering over the reason that could hāveoccasioned this change.

he startled margaret, one evening as she sate at her work, by suddenlyasking:

\"margaret! had you ever any reason for thinking that mr. thorntoncared for you?\"

he almost blushed as he put this question; but mr. bell\"s scouted idearecurred to him, and the words were out of his mouth before he wellknew what he was about.

margaret did not answer immediately; but by the bent drooping of herhead, he guessed what her reply would be.

\"yes; i believe--oh papa, i should hāve told you.\" and she dropped herwork, and hid her face in her hands.

..＃txt＄！小＠说＆

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