"I am sorry to hear that, sir."
"Oh, it's nothing. I want it done as well as you can, please. Is there any late knot in fashion, Oak?"
"I don't know, sir," said Oak. His tone had sunk to sadness.
Boldwood approached Gabriel, and as Oak tied the neckerchief the farmer went on feverishly—
"Does a woman keep her promise, Gabriel?"
"If it is not inconvenient to her she may."
"—Or rather an implied promise."
"I won't answer for her implying," said Oak, with faint bitterness. "That's a word as full o' holes as a sieve with them."
"Oak, don't talk like that. You have got quite cynical lately—how is it? We seem to have shifted our positions: I have become the young and hopeful man, and you the old and unbelieving one. However, does a woman keep a promise, not to marry, but to enter on an engagement to marry at some time? Now you know women better than I—tell me."
"I am afeard you honour my understanding too much. However, she may keep such a promise, if it is made with an honest maning to repair a wrong."
"It has not gone far yet, but I think it will soon—yes, I know it will," he said, in an impulsive
