‘O good God!’ ejaculated the trumpet-major in a whisper, turning away hastily to the corner-cupboard, and resting his face upon his hand.
‘What’s the matter, John?’ said she.
‘I can’t do it!’
‘What?’
‘Tie your cap-ribbon.’
‘Why not?’
‘Because you are so—Because I am clumsy, and never could tie a bow.’
‘You are clumsy indeed,’ answered Anne, and went away.
After this she felt injured, for it seemed to show that he rated her happiness as of meaner value than Bob’s; since he had persisted in his idea of giving Bob another chance when she had implied that it was her wish to do otherwise. Could Miss Johnson have anything to do with his firmness? An opportunity of testing him in this direction occurred some days later. She had been up the village, and met John at the mill-door.
‘Have you heard the news? Matilda Johnson is going to be married to young Derriman.’