But I resolved she should not know she had disappointed me. I might have been a fool, but I would keep my foolishness a secret.
“No, Miss Colton,” I said, with a smile, “I haven't sold yet.”
“Father said he saw you at the bank. Did he say anything about the land?”
“He said his offer was still open, that was all.”
“You are resolved not to sell.”
“To him? Yes, I am resolved. I think he knows it. I tried to make it plain.”
“You say to him. Are you thinking of selling to any one else? To the town?”
“No. Probably not to any one. Certainly not to your father or the town.”
She looked at me, with an odd expression, and seemed to hesitate.
“Mr. Paine,” she said, slowly, “would you resent my giving you another bit of—advice?”