Yes! he came very seldom, even for the dull cold purpose of lessons. Mr. Hale was disappointed in his pupil's lukewarmness about Greek literature, which had but a short time ago so great an interest for him. And now it often happened that a hurried note from Mr. Thornton would arrive, just at the last moment, saying that he was so much engaged that he could not come to read with Mr. Hale that evening. And though other pupils had taken more than his place as to time, no one was like his first scholar in Mr. Hale's heart. He was depressed and sad at this partial cessation of an intercourse which had become dear to him; and he used to sit pondering over the reason that could have occasioned this change.
He startled Margaret, one evening as she sate at her work, by suddenly asking:
"Margaret! had you ever any reason for thinking that Mr. Thornton cared for you?"
He almost blushed as he put this question; but Mr. Bell's scouted idea recurred to him, and the words were out of his mouth before he well knew what he was about.

Yes! he came very seldom. Mr. Hale was disappointed in his pupil's sudden lukewarmness about Greek literature. And often a hurried note from Mr. Thornton would arrive at the last moment, saying that he could not come to read with Mr. Hale that evening. Though other pupils had taken his place, no one was like his first scholar in Mr. Hale's heart. He was saddened, and used to sit pondering the reasons for this change.
He startled Margaret one evening by suddenly asking:
'Margaret! had you ever any reason for thinking that Mr. Thornton cared for you?'
