But the best Helen could do to keep hope alive in him was to say that she was glad he cared.

She added it was very helpful to think that a man such as he believed you were so fine a person, and during the coming winter she would try to be like the fine person he believed her to be, but which, she assured him, she was not.
Then he told her again she was the most wonderful being in the world, to which she said: "Oh, indeed no!" and then, as though he were giving her a cue, he said: "Good-by!" But she did not take up his cue, and they shook hands.

He waited, hardly daring to breathe.
"Surely, now that the parting has come," he assured himself, "she will make some sign, she will give me a word, a look that will write 'total' under the hours we have spent together, that will help to carry me through the long winter." But he held her hand so long and looked at her so hungrily that he really forced her to say: "Don't miss your train," which kind consideration for his comfort did not delight him as it should.

Nor, indeed, later did she herself recall the remark with satisfaction.
With Latimer out of the way the other two hundred and forty-nine suitor attacked with renewed hope.

Among other advantages they had over Latimer was that they were on the ground.