Still--what did it matter?
As soon as they should be alone again-- When they set out after breakfast her Joshua still did not return, as she had confidently expected.

The obstreperous one remained, the one that was the shrewdly-developed cover for his everlasting scheming mind.
"What an unending ass I've been making of myself," he burst out, "with my silly notions." He drew a paper from his pocket and handed it to her.
"And this infernal thing of Grant's has been encouraging me in idiocy." She read the Arkwright gentleman's gazette and complete guide to dress and conduct in the society of a refined gentlewoman.

Her impulse was to laugh, an impulse hard indeed to restrain when she came to the last line of the document and read in Grant's neat, careful-man's handwriting with heavy underscorings: "Above all, never forget that you are a mighty stiff dose for anybody, and could easily become an overdose for a refined, sensitive lady." But prudent foresight made her keep her countenance.

"This is all very sensible," said she.
"Sensible enough," assented he.

"I've learned a lot from it....