Will French and Michael were coming home from the office one afternoon together, and talking eagerly of the progress at the farm.
"When you get married, Endicott," said Will, "you must build a handsome bungalow or something for your summer home, down there on that knoll just overlooking the river where you can see the sea in the distance."
Michael grew sober at once.
"I don't expect ever to be married, Will," he said after a pause, with one of his far-away looks, and his chin up, showing that what he had said was an indisputable fact.
"The Dickens!" said Will stopping in his walk and holding up Michael. "She hasn't refused you, has she?"
"Refused me? Who? What do you mean?" asked Michael looking puzzled.
"Why, Hester--Miss Semple. She hasn't turned you down, old chap?"
"Miss Semple! Why, Will, you never thought--you don't think she ever thought--?"
"Well, I didn't know," said Will embarrassedly, "it looked pretty much like it sometimes. There didn't seem much show for me. I've thought lately you had it all settled and were engaged sure."
"Oh, Will," said Michael in that tone that showed his soul was moved to its depth.
"I say, old chap!" said Will, "I'm fiercely sorry I've butted in to your affairs. I never dreamed you'd feel like this. But seeing I have, would you mind telling me if you'll give me a good send off with Hester? Sort of 'bless-you-my-son,' you know; and tell me you don't mind if I go ahead and try my luck."
"With all my heart, Will. I never thought of it, but I believe it would be great for you both. You seem sort of made for each other."
"It's awfully good of you to say so," said Will, "but I'm afraid Hester doesn't think so. She's all taken up with you."
"Not at all!" said Michael eagerly. "Not in the least. I've never noticed it. I'm sure she likes you best."
And it was so from that night that Michael almost always had some excuse for staying later at the room, or for going somewhere else for a little while so that he would have to leave them half way home; and Hester and Will from that time forth walked together more and more. Thus Michael took his lonely way, cut off from even this friendly group.
And the summer and the winter made the second year of the colony at Old Orchard.