The Obstacle Race

and see you?

oad, looked up from her book and saw his thin face peering at her through th

e said. "Come i

privet. He looked like a monstrous baboon shuffling towards her. When through, he stood up again, a shaggy lock of hair fa

es from her. "Sure you

sincerity. "I am very pleased to see y

th a gesture almost violent. "No-no-no!" He nearly shouted

"Just as you like," sh

the grass is dry

It won't hurt me. I hate

lowering at her uncer

uliet kindly. "Come and s

ng movements by her side. His face was darkly sullen. "I d

said. "I am pleased. As you

to hers. "You'd pack me o

She smiled down upon him. "You are going

in answer. "I'd like to. I

't you?" she

out his knees, and murmure

bring it in another quarter-of-an-hour, and we will ask

r two; then he reached forth a claw-like hand and tentatively finge

u? How kind!"

e like you before." His brow clouded again as he looked at her. "You're quite as mu

r hand upon his humped shoulder. "Don't listen to such thi

rt stirred within her. The pathos of those eyes was more than she c

There are people in the world who will say unkind things of anybody. It

anything unkind ab

t wonder if there are plenty of them saying unkind things about m

agely. "Where? I'd like t

t to realize that it doesn't really matter what people say. They'll always talk, y

kill anyone who said anything

to talk like that," said

eyes suddenly

Because if you mean it, it's wrong-very wrong.

ed himself nearer to her

ore! I like

I talk about

bout Londo

wds and dust. The streets are crammed with cars and people and ther

e people do

a sudden hard breath. "But they really don't. It's such a whirl, such a strain, like always running at top speed in a race and never getting there. Yes, it's just that-a sort of obstacle race, and the obstacle

deep interest. "Is that w

ther scared. I got away just

ugh it was, made him draw neare

ng from someo

ne would take the trouble to come and look for me," she

gain. "You're not frig

bit. I've got over that, and I

y here always?

head. I'm just going to make the best of the

suppose it is-if you do

knows that,"

estlessly at each other. "I know what's going to happen to me," h

Juliet. "I knew there w

y she saw his chin qui

he said

so forlorn. "Why don't you go and tel

ticulated Robin

lties. Juliet tried to hedge

ling," s

With

at her, and wiped a has

as if in derision at

tioned. "That is-of course don

t was-Jack." He suddenly turned to her fully with bl

y recalled the young chauffeur at the churchyard gate.

!" said Robin

Juliet wisely made none. "Isn

what he said-about-about-" He suddenly stopped

asked Juliet

sat

"People often do and say things they don't mean. It doe

't to come here, said-said he'd punish me if I did. He called me back, and I wouldn't go. He-" He

olumbus who had accepted Robin without q

look, and as he settled down again by Juliet's side,

to Juliet. She coul

id her hand upon him

ee me or to look fo

h at a single glance. She wondered if he were really a

s to go on with, Miss Moore," he said,

a quick flush of embarrassment. "How did you manage

re you these with pleasure. It's aw

ges. I am being very economical now. Ple

crown,"

e protested. "Le

s all they cost me. I ge

n't care for me to have them a

th an airiness that was curiously final. "Don't bother about p

brother so suddenly a

startled. Then very s

ase, don't-be a

y they compelled her own. He stooped unexpectedly after an instant's pause, lifted he

!" he said. "And

his head, stared a moment, then blundered to his feet. He stood

to tea with m

en said. "Another time

to-d

y. Robin, with his hea

t in that moment Juliet spoke in that full rich voice of hers

I want to sp

e caught a glint of humour behind

rfering!" she said.

o!" sai

t would have been easier if he had shown resen

nt or two. Then, hesitatingly, she spoke.

of embarrassment. "Perhaps it sounds impertinent, but I believe I could help him in some ways,-if I

holly gone out of his look. "I don't know what to say

the core. But there's something about Robin that goes straight to my heart. I should l

heir straight brows, looking directly into

you know, Miss Moore," he said, "I think this is about

don't let us talk in superlatives!" she said. "

But he doesn't deserve it. He has been getting

n her chair. Her eyes w

Mr. Green!

a little. "

won

can

olately against a distant tree. She sat for several moments watching

and turned again to the man in front of

said

rd on him? You are

keep him in o

's face was very pitiful. "Let him off sometimes

y. "A woman would sa

would. Don't be hard on him, Mr. Green! He has

rect defiance of my

Please never give h

ally in this case, there was sufficient reason. S

e of them,"

n a towering rage when he started. It isn't fair to inflict h

el remark about him, and someone else maliciously repeated it. Then he was angry-very angry-and lost his self-control, and I

s as she ended, and an answering gl

or him, poor chap! But it doesn't do to let him know we th

needn't. But it isn't everyone that sees it in that light. I'm g

ain in a farewell sal

he took him by the arm and led him to the gate. A few seconds later they passed her on the other

now, Dick

's answer, for it did not come immediate

r away, she heard Green s

me to,"

were almost out of earshot before he said, "All right

t she did not read for some time. Somehow she felt glad-