"
"I have chosen," said Susan, now perfectly composed and still.
"Whatever comes of it, I bide with Willie."
"Very well," replied Michael, trying to assume an equal composure of
manner. "Then I'll wish you a very good night." He went out of the
house door, half-expecting to be called back again; but, instead, he
heard a hasty step inside, and a bolt drawn.
"Whew!" said he to himself, "I think I must leave my lady alone for a
week or two, and give her time to come to her senses. She'll not
find it so easy as she thinks to let me go."
So he went past the kitchen-window in nonchalant style, and was not
seen again at Yew Nook for some weeks. How did he pass the time?
For the first day or two, he was unusually cross with all things and
people that came athwart him. Then wheat-harvest began, and he was
busy, and exultant about his heavy crop. Then a man came from a
distance to bid for the lease of his farm, which, by his father's
advice, had been offered for sale, as he himself was so soon likely
to remove to the Yew Nook. He had so little idea that Susan really
would remain firm to her determination, that he at once began to
haggle with the man who came after his farm, showed him the crop just
got in, and managed skilfully enough to make a good bargain for
himself.
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