Roger assured him again and again that he believed Ruby to be a good girl, and promised that further steps should be taken to induce Mrs Pipkin to keep a close watch upon her niece.  John Crumb made no promise that he would abstain from his journey to London after Saxmundham fair; but left the squire with a conviction that his purpose of doing so was shaken.  He was still however resolved to send Mrs Pipkin the price of a new blue cloak, and declared his purpose of getting Mixet to write the letter and enclose the money order.  John Crumb had no delicacy as to declaring his own deficiency in literary acquirements.  He was able to make out a bill for meal or pollards, but did little beyond that in the way of writing letters.

This happened on a Saturday morning, and on...