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You had better tell me if there's anything you're not quite satisfied with." He threw the paper on the table, and Hawtrey took it up. "I'm to farm and generally manage the Range on your behalf," said Hawtrey after reading its contents. "My percentage to be deducted after harvest.
The note was brief, and Agatha read it with a smile of half-amused contempt, though she admitted that, considering everything, he had handled the embarrassing situation gracefully. This attitude, however, was only what she had expected, and she recognized that it was characteristic of Hawtrey that he had written releasing her from her engagement instead of seeking an interview.
"You're worrying about something, Gregory?" she said. Hawtrey admitted it. "Yes," he said, "I am. My place is a poor one, and when Wyllard comes home I shall have to go back to it again. Things would be so much easier for me just now if I had the Range." The girl looked at him steadily with reproach in her eyes.
In that case Hawtrey, who had sold forward largely, would fall altogether into his hands, and he looked forward with very pleasurable anticipation to enforcing his claim upon the Range. In the meanwhile he was unobtrusively watching his companion's face, and it had become evident that in another moment or two Hawtrey would adopt the course suggested, when there was a rattle of wheels outside.
Now, she said, she would not be absurdly hypercritical, and he had, as it happened, given her the lead that she desired. "I should have fancied that you would have had to give them more attention as wheat is going down," she said. Hawtrey looked at her with an air of reproach. "It must be nearly three weeks since I have seen you, and now you expect me to talk of farming."
The girl laughed in a strained fashion. She had been a little startled, and was not quite sure yet as to how she should receive him; but Hawtrey drew her in. "The old folks are out," she said. "They've gone over to Elliot's for supper. He's bringing us a package." Hawtrey, who explained that he had the parcel, let her hands go, and sat down somewhat limply.
Then she flashed a smiling glance at him. It was quite sufficient, and as she turned again Hawtrey slipped forward as softly as he could. She swung round, however, with a flush in her face and a forceful, restraining gesture. "Don't spoil it all, Gregory," she said sharply. Hawtrey, who saw that she meant it which was a cause of some astonishment to him dropped his hand.
One thing I am improved in, which is writing themes; and you will be pleased to know that Hawtrey has again given me the School Theme prize, worth 5L., which counts for another sent up exercise. In reply, the Judge, on July 22, wrote in the midst of the circuit, from Stafford, a letter that might well do a son's heart good: 'I rejoice in your finale, and shall be glad to see the exercise.
Now she realized that to undertake a thing light-heartedly was a very different matter from carrying it out successfully. Then it once more occurred to her that she was becoming absurdly hypercritical, and she strove to talk of other things. She did not find it easy, nor, though he made the effort, did Hawtrey.
"He hung on for a week or two, and one of us brought a doctor out from the settlements, but the day before we broke camp Jake and I buried him." Hawtrey made a sign of comprehension. He was reasonably well acquainted with his comrade's character, and fancied he knew who had brought the doctor out.
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