When Mr. Donne was talking to
Leonard, he took off his watch and chain and put it round the
boy's neck, who was pleased enough, you may be sure. I bade him
give it back to the gentleman, when they were all going away; and
I was quite surprised, and very uncomfortable, when Mr. Donne
said he had given it to Leonard, and that he was to keep it for
his own. I could see Mr. Bradshaw was annoyed, and he and the
other gentleman spoke to Mr. Donne, and I heard them say, 'too
barefaced;' and I shall never forget Mr. Donne's proud, stubborn
look back at them, nor his way of saying, 'I allow no one to
interfere with what I choose to do with my own.' And he looked so
haughty and displeased, I durst say nothing at the time. But when
I told Thurstan, he was very grieved and angry; and said he had
heard that our party were bribing, but that he never could have
thought they would have tried to do it at his house. Thurstan is
very much out of spirits about this election altogether; and,
indeed, it does make sad work up and down the town. However, he
sent back the watch, with a letter to Mr. Bradshaw; and Leonard
was very good about it, so I gave him a taste of the new
damson-preserve on his bread for supper."
Although a stranger might have considered this letter wearisome,
from the multiplicity of the details, Ruth craved greedily after
more. What had Mr. Donne said to Leonard? Had Leonard liked his
new acquaintance? Were they likely to meet again? After wondering
and wondering over these points, Ruth composed herself by the
hope that in a day or two she should hear again; and, to secure
this end, she answered the letters by return of post.
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