less and less so
with time) and that singing, except in the quietest,
smallest way, will be impossible. It does not seem to matter
very much to her. She is looking very well indeed (you know,
of course, that she is expecting another child in the
autumn--Roger told me). He is quite magnificent with his
thick, silvery hair, I think. Mr. Carter, who dined with me
here at the club a night or two ago (he gave my boys a fine
talk on German customs and military games) tells me that he
hopes (Roger, I mean) to be able to do a great deal of his
work on the Island--certainly all the summer and autumn. He
seems to be turning into a sort of consulting lawyer, like a
surgeon. Besides that great text-book business I suppose you
know about. He says there are two or three years' work on
that alone.

I hope that you agree with me that Mrs. Bradley is much
better off in her husband's home, fulfilling the natural
duties of her sex. You seemed to think in your last that
Mrs. Paynter would not, to my great surprise. What in the
world is the matter with the women, nowadays? Where shall we
be if the finest specimens of them have no leisure to
perpetuate the race? Are only the stupid and unoriginal,
unattractive ones to have this responsibility? I wish I
dared get up a sermon on these lines; I may try yet!

You know Mrs. Paynter well, Jerry--do you think there is any
chance for me there? I have been for ten years proving that
a minister need not be married, and I've done it, too, but
it was only because I never met the woman I wanted. I have,
now, but she won't have me. Does that mean it's final? I
don't know much about women, but I can't believe one like
her would refuse just to be asked again. Tell me what you
think. She seems very decided, though she sympathises
thoroughly with my work.

Yours faithfully,

TYLER FESSENDEN ELDER.

[FROM MY ROUGH DIARY]

May 30, 189--

Have just written Tip Elder how sorry I am about Sue, but
that he'd better give it up. She'll never marry. How
curiously we three are twisted into the Bradley weaving!

M. so happy and beautiful--the past seems a dream. Voice
lovely still, but not quite under her control always, and a
tiny rou