Lawrence sulked for a spell , of course -- boy-fashion -- and he 's been as fractious as a spoiled baby ever since . '' `` Well , I dare say you 're right , '' assented the dressmaker . `` But I must say I had always imagined that Bessy had a great notion of Lawrence . Of course , she 's so quiet it is hard to tell . She never says a word about herself . '' There was an unsuspected listener to this conversation . Lawrence had come in from the field for a drink , and was standing in the open kitchen doorway , within easy earshot of the women 's shrill tones . He had never doubted his mother 's word at any time in his life , but now he knew beyond doubt that there had been crooked work somewhere . He shrank from believing his mother untrue , yet where else could the crookedness come in ? When Mrs. Eastman had gone to the kitchen to prepare dinner , Maggie Hatfield was startled by the appearance of Lawrence at the low open window of the sitting-room . `` Mercy me , how you scared me ! '' she exclaimed nervously . `` Maggie , '' said Lawrence seriously , `` I want to ask you a question . Did Bessy Houghton ever say anything to you about me or did you ever say that she did ? Give me a straight answer . '' The dressmaker peered at him curiously . `` No . Bessy never so much as mentioned your name to me , '' she said , `` and I never heard that she did to anyone else . Why ? '' `` Thank you .
That was all I wanted to know , '' said Lawrence , ignoring her question , and disappearing XXXXX suddenly as he had come .
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