Medoline Selwyn's Work

ands a surprise awaited me. As I was walking briskly up the avenue

believe my poor mother is afraid of telling him an untruth, for she hurried me off very

her; she would go to the s

stidious about his associates. Your friend Mrs. Blake, in his eyes, has only a bare right

ter I found he had not greatly overstated my guardian's exclusiveness. Wishing to gain my room and make some additions to my toilet bef

tood calmly surveying nature's beautiful products in leaf and bud and blossom. He glanced down at me-possibly taking me at first for one of the maids-then looking more keenly he bowed rather distantly. I returned the salutatio

smile was very winning that greeted me, otherwise I thought the face, though h

though late in being able to do so. I

nterest one here after city life, I

elf of the character for fastidiousness which Hubert had given

element. I cannot think any one could rejoice, on waking in the m

-"Then you don't ca

rom your own species y

not answered

wept over the face I was alr

opinion-probably you have already drank more cups of tea with you

was exceedingly bad form to discuss one'

even when I was most frightened. Again I glanced into his face-he was regarding me with a peculiar intentness, as if I were some new plant br

to bestow so soon upon your guardia

murmured, now thoroug

but that interesting subject eliminated from conversation, the

hrop. I am not interested in the things they talk

already. A woman cannot hold

romised," I

xception, and would hold to your

may have inherited some noble, manly pro

ionally," he said in a reflective way, as if

ll be announced shortly, and I must r

room, feeling more startled than please

r. Winthrop entered. I opened the door of the pretty breakfast parlor where dinne

re occasions. Opening the door I saw the table shining with silver and glass, while Mrs. Flaxman st

our informal dinners in the cosy bre

oy your delicious dishes any more, with Hubert adding

hing in this world, even to planning every day fo

for something to eat, when it's all over in a half hour or

pped table. Our Mr. Winthrop would look amazed if

. Winthrop entered, followed immediately by Hubert who was quite metamorphosed from the gay, scoffing youth into a steady-paced young m

at I felt could look at me pitilessly if I incurred his displeasure. But there was also an expression of high, intellectual power; an absorbed, self-contained look that seemed to set him apart from others as one who could live independently, if necessary, of the society of his fellow men. I should like to be his friend, was my thought, as finding that Hubert was watching me, I turned my attention to my neglected dinner. Mrs. Flaxman in her gentle fa

t to the poor?"

Winthrop inquired, giving me at th

would th

u know the

elf. I dare say there are o

aw her face flush; probably he noticed it

es; only you must superintend the distribution. I firmly b

gift so ungraciously?" but I left the words unsaid until he left the room, when I relieved my feelings

a beastly way of conferring favors. Once I get earning money I shall

oice cigars?" his mother as

What are they to

you so much longer to pay for them," I s

a beggarly short affair, if one can't ha

h-priced pleasure if I had

for what they desire. Faery even with my means would

ow what your means are," h

ull of work to be done by some one. I shall stand as good a chance as an

wish I was a boy so I mig

dious about ladies' deportment. Even the housemaids and

rop is not nice, I shall go to Boston or New

histle was hi

ourself? Mr. Winthrop will th

Miss Selwyn astounded me. Fa

ty," I sai

dispense the fruit and vegetables. The work has been given

already doing for some of them." I took

ere than they have been since Mr. Winthrop was a lad. Just for one moment, mother, try to imag

going to trouble myself about what may never happen. It is not necessary fo

those folk on the Mill Road; and, yet, right under his nose these little arrangements

e conversation, Hubert? If so, you

athering of maiden ladies," Hubert said with some disgust. "Fancy a lot of you

until the final wreck of matter, as some scientists supp

should sit with shut lips and folded hands lest we would destroy the equilibrium of the universe, or our

you I would throw education 'to the dogs' and take things on

nd so not get cheated by ever

y are permanently recorded in another place by a pen that never writes falsely, or misses a single sentence. How many pages

en I was a little chap she had me persuaded to be a missionary to Greenland, or the South Pole. I

changed

very sweet and gentle woman, but I am sorry

cuse me expressing myself so openly," I said, bowing to Mrs. Flaxman; "but won't you tell me what her tendency

, she used to make me long for

could so soon outgrow ea

at to me; but I could see that his strange indifference respecting those subjects