Frederic did, indeed, feel the same attraction to Karen, though he couldn't tell if she returned the strong feelings. For only knowing her a week and meeting twice in that time, the romantic tension in the air he felt (but wasn't sure if he was imagining or not) was incredibly strong. Maybe for once, Clover's obsession with getting his father to fall in love would be a good thing. Just this once. Frederic glanced at his watch and his smile dropped a little. "I'm afraid I have an appointment in a half-hour and must be getting home. Thank you so very much for your hospitality and I do hope to see you again soon." Clover picked up the cuckoo clock and trundled back to the front hall with it in his arms. He dumped it rather unceremoniously in the wagon as Fred pulled on his coat, adding to Karen, "If there is anything you need, Karen, do feel welcome to send for me through a neighbor, or a letter, or Clover, if you can draw him out of play after school." In fact, the school was much closer to Karen's house than his clock shop, so fetching Clover to get him would probably be the easiest option, so he was glad he'd remembered it.