And you do not know how it would quite delight him! He loves books so much, and then you know," she added in a confidential manner, "he has never stayed in a country house in his life, I am quite sure." "And when is he coming down ?" asked Mr.Juxon.

"I should be very much pleased to have him." "To-morrow, I think," said Mrs.Ambrose.
"Well--would you ask him from me to come up and stop a week?
Can you spare him, Mrs.Ambrose?
I know you are very fond of him, of course, but--" "Oh very," said she warmly.

"But I think it likely he will stay some time," she added in explanation of her willingness to let him go to the Hall.
The squire felt vaguely that the presence of a guest in his house would probably be a restraint upon him, and he felt that some restraint would be agreeable to him at the present time.
"Besides," added Mrs.Ambrose, "if you would like to have him first--there is a little repair necessary in his room at the vicarage--we have put it off too long--" "By all means." said the squire, following out his own train of thought.
"Send him up to me as soon as he comes.

If I can manage it I will be down here to ask him myself." "It is so good of you," said Mrs.Ambrose.
"Not at all.

Are you going to the cottage ?" "Yes--why ?" "Nothing," said Mr.Juxon.