nother man to his, and that these joys had not been held in dear
anticipation with her as they had with him. He had been a fool. All these
months of waiting for his marriage he had thought that he and Kate held
feelings in common, joys and hopes and tender thoughts of one another;
and, behold, he was having these feelings all to himself, fool and blind
that he was! A bitter sigh came to his lips, and Marcia, eager in the
excitement of getting her first breakfast upon her own responsibility,
heard and forgot to smile over the completed work. She could hardly eat
what she had prepared, her heart felt David's sadness so keenly.

Shyly she poured the amber coffee and passed it to David. She was pleased
that he drank it eagerly and passed his cup back for more. He ate but
little, but seemed to approve of all she had done.

After breakfast David went down to the office. He had told Marcia that he
would step over and tell his aunts of their arrival, and they would
probably come over in the course of the day to greet her. He would be back
to dinner at twelve. He suggested that she spend her time in resting, as
she must be weary yet. Then hesitating, he went out and closed the door
behind him. He waited again on the door stone outside and opened the door
to ask:

"You won't be lonesome, will you, child?" He had the feeling of troubled
responsibility upon him.

"Oh, no!" said Marcia brightly, smiling back. She thought it so kind of
him to take the trouble to think of her. She was quite anticipating a trip
of investigation over her new domain, and the pleasure of feeling that she
was mistress and might do as she pleased. Yet she stood by the window
after he was gone and watched his easy strides down the street with a
feeling of mingled pride and disappointment. It was a very nice play she
was going through, and David was handsome, and her young heart swelled
with pride to belong to him, but after all there was something left out. A
great lack, a great unknown longing unsatisfied. What was it? What made
it? Was it David's sorrow?

She turned with a sigh as he disappeared around a curve in the sidewalk
and was lost to view. Then casting aside the troubles which were trying to
settle upon her, she gave herself up to a morning of pure delight.

She flew about the kitchen putting things to rights, washing the delicate
sprigged china with its lavendar sprays and buff bands, and putting it
tenderly upon the shelves behind the glass