The schoolmaster proceeded to think over the matter—­that is to say, he proceeded to muse over it; by which process he did not face the facts as they were—­did not become better acquainted with the real Miss Blakely, but made some sort of progress in another way, for he conjured up an ideal Miss Blakely, gentle and good, cheerful, with intellectual tastes like his own, a person who, like himself, had not fared very happily in the world until now, and for whom his love and protection would make a paradise.  It did occur to him, occasionally, that the picture he was drawing might not be quite correct, and at those times he would seek Mrs. Sims, and ask a few questions of this oracle by way of adjusting his own ideas to the truth.  Poor Mrs. Sims, between her extreme honesty and her desire to see the schoolmaster, whom she really loved, assured of future comfort, had much ado to be ‘tactful’ and say the right thing.  She naturally regarded comfort as pertaining solely to the outer man, and fully believed that this marriage was the best step he could take; so her answers, when they could not be satisfactory, were vague.

’How can you doubt, sir, that you’ll be much happier with a wife to cook your meals regular, and no more bother about changements all your life?  I’m sure if I were you, sir, I wouldn’t hesitate between the joys of matrimony and single life.’

’Perhaps not, Mrs. Sims; but I, being I, do hesitate.  It is a very important step to take, just because, as you say, there will be no more change.’

’And it’s just you that have been telling me that the very thing you dislike most in this world is change.  And there are other advantages, too, in having kith and kin, for it’s lonesome without when you’re old; and just think how beautiful for a wife to weep over you when you’re a-dying—­and she’ll do all that, Miss Blakely will, sir; I’m sure, as her friend, I can answer for it.’

‘The wills above be done,’ murmured the schoolmaster, ’but I would fain die a dry death.’

Time pressed; the schoolmaster procrastinated; the very evening before the widow’s departure had arrived, and yet nothing was done.  Then it happened, as is frequently the case when the mind is balancing between two opinions, that a very small circumstance determined him to write the all-important note.  The circumstance was none other than his having a convenient opportunity of sending it; for to him, as to many other unpractical minds, the small difficulties in the way of any action had as great a deterring power as more important considerations.  Miss Blakely happened to live on the other side of the town, and though the master walked much farther than that himself every day, he felt that in this case it would hardly be dignified to be his own messenger.