The Obstacle Race

with a sniff. "Nor it ain't yours either. But did you eve

ment that had the look of a baby's robe that had grown

ger into the bowl of his pipe. "W

you think?" Mrs. Rickett chuckled at his ignorance. "And that fli

d the smi

resumed, as she began to use it, "as wears such things as these. Why, I should

id Ricke

No pride about her, you know. She's just simple and friendly-like. Y

When not at work, it was usually his r?le

of her, she knows how to hold her own. Young Robin Green, he's gone just plumb moon-crazy over her, and it woul

aid the

e's the infant teacher-that Jarvis girl-she'd set her cap at him if she dared. But he wouldn't look at her. Young Jack's a deal more likely, if ever he does settle dow

. "Happen he's come to call on our you

while I put on a clean apron!" She hastened to shut the door upon her husband, then

young lady he's after

ightly over bearing, made itself heard. "Good evening,

ment for reflection. "She was in, but I can't say

id Mr. Fielding. "Wait a minut

er ironing. "What ever he

o'clock, and he wanted to get home to his supper. The squ

was wandering among the falling blossoms. He heard a low voice softly singi

is animal to the porch and turned. The next moment C

called Juliet's voic

hrough?" said

ard-gate, flushed and a

bus! He always spea

with the words, an

s looking at her very se

mind a visitor at

am quite at liberty

he apple-trees, and the squire tra

ventional," he said, speaking with a s

tional people be

Then I needn't apologize any further. Yo

said

imple linen dress she wor

she sai

pull restlessly at the

rtinent for asking yo

far," sa

I don't care a-I mean, it's nothing whatever to me where you've

e involuntarily. "What s

leather. She realized quite suddenly that he was em

a job?" she said. "How ki

bly at his black moustache. "It may not appeal to you. Quite prob

brows gathered slightly.

anting

uire suddenly lashed with his whip at the grass in front of him, causing Columbus to jump v

," said Ju

nd pulled Columbus to her side; fon

ife saw you in church. She took rather a

ld I?" sa

y made your acquaintance the day before, that you had told him that you had held the post of companion to someone, he didn't say who. And I

The evening light shone on her brown head, showing streaks o

towards him, still cares

id, "if Mrs. Fielding knew me b

I don't think so. It wouldn't be worth

oint of view?"

g you, and then you go and disappoint her-I shall be the sufferer,"

But I can't-possibly-decide unti

u'll consider it?"

liet. "But please give me time

conceded. "How lon

ly naive about him, notwithstanding his obvious bad t

id. "I leave that to you. Y

ally appeal to me very much. But as a matter of f

"I didn't mean to offen

ite squarely. "On s

thoughts?"

. "Because I think seco

son. "So I'm a cad and a boun

ity the faint glint of a smile. "I think that is putting it rather strongly," she said. "B

rge of springing to his feet and leaving her. Then with amazi

ou've got pluck, and you know how to keep your temper. You'll have

it. He was evidently of those who consider that an apology condones any offence, and, t

at him with

angry with me?"

e sure. Won't you go o

you want to know? My wife always breakfasts in bed, so she wouldn't want you befo

ore ten, there would be no need

"Of course you'd live with us!

t. "They are very kind to

couldn't do that. I believe you're a

Juliet. "But go on, if you don't m

what wants answering and how to answer it. P'raps you read

the whole mornin

cart. She's very keen on horses. Then either she goes out to lunch or someone lunches with us. And after that she's off in the car for a fifty-mi

said J

t upon the matter. She looke

There's no peace for anyone now-a-days. I want you to stop it. You've got that sort of influence. I sensed it directly I saw you. You've got that priceless possession-a quiet spirit.

er. And how do you know that that

ing marionette. You wouldn't despise a woman's duties because they interfe

to be anything very great," she said. "But

maid, if you want one. You can come and go as you choose. No one will interfere with you. All I want you to do is to put the brake on my wife, make her take an interest in her home, make her take life seriously. She's not at all strong. She doesn't give herself a chance. Unless I fetch in a doctor and practically keep her in bed by main force she never gets any decent rest. Why, she's hardly ever in her room before two in the

h his whip. But Juliet still sat silent, looking out before her at the

was-with the single exception of Dick Green who hasn't much temptation to be anything else. But I've lived straight on the whole. I've played the game-or tried to. And yet-after five years of marriage-I'm still without an h

somewhat reluctantly. "I'm afraid I ha

't?" he lo

ity you told me. You see, a woman does

e she married me for?"

in love with me-a man

u, there were never any

to offer her, and

shiver, and abruptl

forgive me, please. No, I shouldn't have told you. But you

ss, their self-respect, all that is most worth having, for this world's goods, this world's ambitions, and expect to come out of it anything but losers. Oh, I know it's done every day. People f

r. "You speak a

osperity-this rooted, individual selfishness-the hopeless materialism of it all-the ultimate ruin-." She broke off. "You'll take me for a str

what I was sayi

your own hand all the time and so you're a loser and always will be. It's the chief rule of the game." She smiled fa

ul young woman," said th

st begun to use my brains, that's all. They'r

pretty straight one anyway. Have you

count," s

a looker-on all your l

ess," smil

er abruptly. "Look here!

know," sa

nd quick!" He held her

e objectio

or one thing, I want more freedom of action than I should have as an inmate of your house. I want

" said the squire, with a

htly. "No, it isn

exist as far as you are concerned. You will come and g

ry kind,"

u have said to me. I must make a note of it. Now would you like my wi

care to come

d you'll talk things over, and come to an un

She had not thought that gloomy, black browed countenance could look so geni

omething about him-something I can't quite place-that makes me wonder if I've m

ce. He evidently did not care where he went so long a

im between the eyes. "De

are we hap