"He's taught me a lot."
"That you may have to unlearn. They clever men are dangerous. I don't like clever men. You never know where you are with 'em."
Mr. Stockman did not return for dinner and they ate it with Susan. She was perturbed at the necessity of going to Ashburton for her father.
"He wants half a dozen things, and I'm so properly busy here this week-end that I don't know how I'll do it," she declared, unaware that Thomas was going down.
Slowly it dawned over his mind that he might serve her. He hesitated, for he dreaded making any original proposition. He felt ready and even desirous to offer his services, but spoke not from native caution. Maynard, however, helped him.
"Tom's going in," he said. "Can't he do it?"
"I've no right to trouble him," answered Soosie-Toosie.
"Why not, then? I'm sure he'll do anything he can."
"He might be busy on his own account?"
"He'll make time if he can save you trouble."