But once he had resolved to do so things, as it were, slowed down.

He went about his work in a new spirit, the spirit not of the teacher, but of the learner, and ever since his talk with Louise he thought--or tried to think--more of what love might mean to Julie than to himself.

The result was a curious change in their relations, of which the girl was more immediately and continually conscious than Peter.

She puzzled over it, but could not get the clue, and her quest irritated her.

Peter had always been the least little bit nervous in her presence.