Old Valentines / A Love Story

late, ma'am?" asked a housemaid. She had just finished cleaning t

can see," she replied. "But there's more s

irs in his own arms on the first day it was allowed? Hadn't they seen him helping her with her lessons, at night,-solving her complex problems in his head while she struggled over columns of figures, and waiting at the end of that tortuous road with a smile on his gaunt face, and the right answer, to prove hers right or wrong? But in languages, Sir Peter was left at the post. Her master i

might be heard at any moment of the day; or the ripple of her pi

ded to a plastic acquiescence with her own sweet will. In extreme urgency, when Burbage was very firm, indeed, Phy

ad not found a tra

, the same. He did not try to disguise his desire that she should forget her mot

cle Peter, I shall not stay here," she declared. "I will go away

t sweets. But he saw she was terribl

ng relationship between them; a relationship that was p

me one told her she began

id Sir Peter, wh

s went

her was an angel. Sh

ed Sir Peter, hi

. I heard him tell her so. S

yllis always had the last

must never speak or even think unkindly of her if you want me to love you, or if you want me to live with you. She

her eyes were the deepest blue; you might have thought her expression sad, but her sensitive mouth was mirthful as well as tender; in merriment her eyes danced. When she talked earnestly she caught her breath

on's house, in Gough Square. Sir Peter gloomed in the doorways of shops while she made leisurely purchases within. He pointed out the best pictures in the National Gallery; and could tell her why they were the best. They motored through England and France; Sir Peter absorbed in old fortifications, Phyllis regardful of the babies tumbling through c

have a box. Radiant Phyllis, in white silk, leaning forward eagerly to catch every word, was tremulous with excitement at the

y their mothers they called the first time, and thereafter were with difficulty restrained. Phyllis was kind to each, and interested in all; but Sir Peter observed with satisfaction that she was most pleased when they came in pairs.

tion of the sex from a perfectly fresh and candid point of view. Sir Peter had the benefit of her impress

g she was

something very, very

g most attenti

olroyd,-Mr. Mark Holroyd, I

l Holroyd's twice, I think, when Mark was present. I believe he has made three remarks to me: first, that Cambridge was slow; second

e comprehended

very nice,

r is one of the finest men I have ever known; his m

lly. "I hope so. Oh! Uncle Pet

eh?" interru

ed to me. I told him I had never thou

enough, but there was plenty of time. And he made a me

nd that he could never get over such a crushing blow, and that he wi

r Peter briskly, and helped him

will get over it as quickly as

f trouble," Sir Peter assured her. "They are a

im good-bye for t

ile and meet many young men before

t Neville, to visit Saint Ruth's Social Settlement, in Whitechapel. A

ere. Show her about a bit like a good chap, will you, while I look for to

re is ever love at first sight! Perhaps it never happens in this pr

here, though? you should meet him; he's great. That is Mrs. Thorpe-over there, talking to the woman who

w minutes the woman went away smiling; and the

when she was called away. "You will hear Saint Ruth

ery kind, Mr. Landless, to explain things to me. Ar

he afternoons are not especially busy. The evenings are full, th

sordid lives. To these rooms men from the universities, impelled by a new conscience, bring their learning and the

the swing o

is black hair was cut short, but it curled for all that; his dark eyes were fine, the eyebrows very thick. His mouth closed tightly, a little too tightly, perhaps. But

very small girls, trying to use needles without pricking their fingers, and not succeeding ve

aintances, a test evolved of trying experi

and I hope I am helpful, a little, you know. But besid

rd him the sweet, interested face he was watching

id John simply, a

e chosen it. I hope you will succeed in it." She colored. "An

derful smile; the most winning; he should have smiled oftener; b

think you are the first girl who has ever taken it quite as a matter of course that a man might make poetry his profession. I am

surprised or unsympathetic. But they think one should be a little ashamed of owning himself a poet. So much

to ask her if she was sure she meant it. Looking

partly because the form of her question puzzled her

mes," he replied. He knew that question. "But I hop

ger to see it,

?" aske

in. Mark Holroyd had looked at her lik

low voice, "because you were one of the first to encourage me in all thi

oked at hi

les, and-and hard places to get over. All the poets I have read about had a hard time at first. But

s one, at least," said Jo

im. "There will be

rks to her class; remarks somewhat pointed on the subject of noses an

usiasm. "Did you see the dispensary, and the nursery, an

ied Phyllis. "Mr. Landless has explain

as he stood at the curb, while th

uth's eats 'em alive. I came to scoff and remained to thread needl

to come again

ow?" ask

garet. "To-morrow's not my d

haps that nice Mrs. Thorpe, to whom you introduced me, could find something f

rgaret, leaning back in the car. "Sai

ank you again," said Phylli

-morrow,"

ding car. When he re?ntered the house,

ark Holroyd telephoned me at the Settlement. He told me he needed bucking up a bit, and was

eyes wide; and th

dearest, Peggy,"