rge in his cottage-woven tweeds, and old hat of green-black
felt; or, if wet, in a long coat of yellow gaberdine, and sou'wester cap
of the same material; but always with a little osier fruit-bag in his
hand. Thus equipped, he walked down to Rose and Thorn's, entered, and to
the first man he saw handed the osier fruit-bag, some coins, and a little
book containing seven leaves, headed "Food: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday,"
and so forth. He then stood looking through the pickles in some jar or
other at things beyond, with one hand held out, fingers upwards, awaiting
the return of his little osier fruit-bag. Feeling. presently that it had
been restored to him, he would turn and walk out of the shop. Behind his
back, on the face of the department, the same protecting smile always
rose. Long habit had perfected it. All now felt that, though so very
different from themselves, this aged customer was dependent on them. By
not one single farthing or one pale slip of cheese would they have
defrauded him for all the treasures of the moon, and any new salesman who
laughed at that old client was promptly told to "shut his head."

Mr. Stone's frail form, bent somewhat to one side by the increased
gravamen of the osier bag, was now seen moving homewards. He arrived
perhaps ten minutes before the three o'clock alarum, and soon passing
through preliminary chaos, the articulate, thin fluting of his voice
streamed forth again, broken by the squeaking and spluttering of his
quill.

But towards four o'clock signs of cerebral excitement became visible; his
lips would cease to utter sounds, his pen to squeak. His face, with a
flushed forehead, would appear at the open window. As soon as the little
model came in sight--her eyes fixed, not on his window, but on
Hilary's--he turned his back, evidently waiting for her to enter by the
door. His first words were uttered in a tranquil voice: "I have several
pages. I have placed your chair. Are you ready? Follow!"

Except for that strange tranquillity of voice and the disappearance of
the flush on his brow, there was no sign of the rejuvenescence that she
brought, of such refreshment as steals on the traveller who sits down
beneath a lime-tree toward the end of along day's journey; no sign of the
mysterious comfort distilled into his veins by the sight of her moody
young face, her young, soft limbs. So from some stimulant men very near
their end will draw energy, watching, as it were, a