John Hewett did not fail to present himself next evening.  As he entered the room he was somewhat surprised at the cheerful aspect with which Sidney met him; the grasp which his hand received seemed to have a significance.  Sidney, after looking at him steadily, asked if he had not been home.

‘Yes, I’ve been home.  Why do you want to know?’

‘Hadn’t Clara anything to tell you?’

‘No.  What is it?’

‘Did she know you were coming here?’

‘Why, yes; I mentioned it.’

Sidney again regarded him fixedly, with a smile.

’I suppose she preferred that I should tell you.  I looked in at the Buildings this afternoon, and had a talk with Clara.’

John hung upon his words, with lips slightly parted, with a trembling in the hairs of his grey beard.

‘You did?’

’I had something to ask her, so I went when she was likely to be alone.  It’s a long while ago since I asked her the question for the first time—­but I’ve got the right answer at last,’

John stared at him in pathetic agitation.

‘You mean to tell me you’ve asked Clara to marry you?’

‘There’s nothing very dreadful in that, I should think.’

’Give us your hand again!  Sidney Kirkwood, give us your hand again!  If there’s a good-hearted man in this world, if there’s a faithful, honest man, as only lives to do kindness—­What am I to say to you?  It’s too much for me.  I can’t find a word as I’d wish to speak.  Stand out and let’s look at you.  You make me as I can’t neither speak nor see—­I’m just like a child—­’

He broke down utterly, and shook with the choking struggle of laughter and sobs.  His emotion affected Sidney, who looked pale and troubled in spite of the smile still clinging feebly about his lips.

‘If it makes you glad to hear it,’ said the young man, in an uncertain voice, ‘I’m all the more glad myself, on that account.’

’Makes me glad?  That’s no word for it, boy; that’s no word for it!  Give us your hand again.  I feel as if I’d ought to go down on my old knees and crave your pardon.  If only she could have lived to see this, the poor woman as died when things was at their worst!  If I’d only listened to her there’d never have been them years of unfriendliness between us.  You’ve gone on with one kindness after another, but this is more than I could ever a’ thought possible.  Why, I took it for certain as you was goin’ to marry that other young girl; they told me as it was all settled.’

‘A mistake.’

’I’d never have dared to hope it, Sidney.  The one thing as I wished more than anything else on earth, and I couldn’t think ever to see it.  Glad’s no word for what I feel.  And to think as my girl kep’ it from me!  Yes, yes; there was something on her face; I remember it now.  “I’m just goin’ round to have a word with Sidney,” I says.  “Are you, father?” she says.  “Don’t stay too long.”