The little white roses that Rufus presented as a daily offering would have told her that, apart from any other indications.

She would have questioned Rufus, but something held her back; and Adam, when urged thereto, flatly refused to interfere.
Adam, rejuvenated and jubilant, went whistling about his work as of yore.

His boy had come back to him in the flesh, and he was more than satisfied to leave things as they were.
"Leave 'em alone, Missus!" was his counsel "Rufus he knows what he's about.

He'll steer a straight course, and he'll bring her into harbour sooner or later.

You leave it to him, and be thankful that curly-topped chap has sheered off at last!" Mrs.Peck had no choice but to obey, but her anxiety regarding Columbine did not diminish.