Mrs Crawley read the letter.  ‘I suppose you answered it?’

’Yes, I answered it.  It was very bad, my letter.  I should think after all that he will never want to have anything more to say to me.  I tried for two days, but I could not write a nice letter.’

‘But what did you say?’

’I don’t in the least remember.  It does not in the least signify now, but it was such a bad letter.’

‘I daresay it was very nice.’

‘It was terribly stiff, and all about a gentleman.’

‘All about a gentleman!  What do you mean, my dear?’

’Gentleman is such a frightful word to have to use to a gentleman; but I did not know what else to say.  Mamma, if you please, we won’t talk about it;—­not about the letter, I mean.  As for him, I’ll talk about him for ever if you like it.  I don’t mean to be a bit broken-hearted.’

‘It seems to me that he is a gentleman.’

’Yes, mamma, that he is; and it is that which makes me so proud.  When I think of it, I can hardly hold myself.  But now I’ve told you everything, and I’ll go away, and go to bed.’

CHAPTER XLII

MR TOOGOOD TRAVELS PROFESSIONALLY

Mr Toogood paid another visit to Barsetshire, in order that he might get a little further information which he thought would be necessary before despatching his nephew upon the traces of Dean Arabin and his wife.  He went down to Barchester after his work was over by an evening train, and put himself up at ‘The Dragon of Wantly’, intending to have the whole of the next day for his work.  Mr Walker had asked him to come and take a return potluck dinner with Mrs Walker at Silverbridge; and this he had said that he would do.  After having ‘rummaged about for tidings’ in Barchester, as he called it, he would take the train for Silverbridge, and would get back to town in time for business on the third day.  ’One day won’t be much, you know,’ he said to his partner, as he made half an apology for absenting himself on business which was not to be in any degree remunerative.  ’That sort of thing is very well when one does it without any expense’ said Crump.  ‘So it is,’ said Toogood; ’and the expense won’t make it any worse.’  He had made up his mind, and it was not probable that anything Mr Crump might say would deter him.

He saw John Eames before he started.  ’You’ll be ready this day week, will you?’ John Eames promised that he would.  ’It will cost you some forty pounds, I should say.  By George—­if you have to go on to Jerusalem, it will cost you more.’  In answer to this, Johnny pleaded that it would be as good as any other tour to him.  He would see the world.  ‘I’ll tell you what,’ said Toogood; ’I’ll pay half.  Only you mustn’t tell Crump.  And it will be quite as well not to tell Maria.’  But Johnny would hear nothing of this scheme.  He would pay the entire cost of his own journey.  He had lots