When he reached the end of his lane , he paused at his gate , and looked at his house , set back from the lane in a crescent of birches . Even in the moonlight , its weather-worn aspect was plainly visible . He thought of the `` palatial residence '' rumour ascribed to Arnold Sherman in Boston , and stroked his chin nervously with his sunburnt fingers . Then he doubled up his fist and struck it smartly on the gate-post . `` Theodora need n't think she is going to jilt me in this fashion , after keeping company with me for fifteen years , '' he said . `` I 'LL have something to say to it , Arnold Sherman or no Arnold Sherman . The impudence of the puppy ! '' The next morning Ludovic drove to Carmody and engaged Joshua Pye to come and paint his house , and that evening , although he was not due till Saturday night , he went down to see Theodora . Arnold Sherman was there before him , and was actually sitting in Ludovic 's own prescriptive chair . Ludovic had to deposit himself in Theodora 's new wicker rocker , where he looked and felt lamentably out of place . If Theodora felt the situation to be awkward , she carried it off superbly . She had never looked handsomer , and Ludovic perceived that she wore her second best silk dress . He wondered miserably if she had donned it in expectation of his rival 's call . She had never put on silk dresses for him . Ludovic had always been the meekest and mildest of mortals , but he felt quite murderous as he sat mutely there and listened to Arnold Sherman 's polished conversation . `` You should just have been here to see him glowering , '' Theodora told the delighted Anne the next day . `` It may be wicked of me , but I felt real glad . I was afraid he might stay away and sulk . So long as he comes here and sulks I do n't worry . But he is feeling badly enough , poor soul , and I 'm really eaten up by remorse .
He tried XXXXX outstay Mr. Sherman last night , but he did n't manage it .
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