"You will get dreadfully hot if you stay there, so near the fire." "I don't mind the heat in the least," said John heroically.

Nevertheless as she did not give him any further encouragement he was presently obliged to retire, greatly discomfited.

He could not spend the evening on his knees with the poker in his hand.
"Bad failure," remarked the squire in an undertone as soon as John had rejoined Mrs.Ambrose, who had not quite finished her lecture on homoeopathy.
Mrs.Goddard leaned back in her chair and looked at Mr.Juxon rather coolly.

She did not want him to laugh at John, though she was not willing to encourage John herself.
"You should not be unkind," she said.

"He is such a nice boy--why should you wish him to be uncomfortable ?" "Oh, I don't in the least.