Milly , as was well known , had a liking for Lawrence herself . Lawrence began to `` go with '' Bessy Houghton regularly after that . In his single-mindedness he never feared that Bessy would misjudge his motives or imagine him to be prompted by mercenary designs . He never thought of her riches himself , and it never occurred to him that she would suppose he did . He soon realized that he loved her , and he ventured to hope timidly that she loved him in return . She was always rather reserved , but the few favours that meant nothing from other girls meant a great deal from Bessy . The evenings he spent with her in her pretty sitting-room , their moonlight drives over long , satin-smooth stretches of snowy roads , and their walks home from church and prayer meeting under the winter stars , were all so many moments of supreme happiness to Lawrence . * * * * * Matters had gone thus far before Mrs. Eastman got her eyes opened . At Mrs. Tom Bailey 's quilting party an officious gossip took care to inform her that Lawrence was supposed to be crazy over Bessy Houghton , who was , of course , encouraging him simply for the sake of having someone to beau her round , and who would certainly throw him over in the end since she knew perfectly well that it was her money he was after . Mrs. Eastman was a proud woman and a determined one . She had always disliked Bessy Houghton , and she went home from the quilting resolved to put an instant stop to `` all such nonsense '' on her son 's part . `` Where is Lawrie ? '' she asked abruptly ; as she entered the small kitchen where George Eastman was lounging by the fire . `` Out in the stable grooming up Lady Grey , '' responded her older son sulkily . `` I suppose he 's gadding off to see Bessy Houghton again , the young fool that he is ! Why do n't you put a stop to it ? '' `` I am going to put a stop to it , '' said Mrs. Eastman grimly . `` I 'd have done it before if I 'd known . You should have told me of it if you knew . I 'm going out to see Lawrence right now . ''
George Eastman muttered something inaudible XXXXX the door closed behind her .
At In as by for from if on over to