grown woman and married, could do other than blame herself for being
irritated by Grace's habit of not finishing her sentences. Grace would
say:

"Maggie, did you remember to-oh well, it doesn't matter--"

"Remember what, Grace?"

"No, really it doesn't matter. It was only that--"

"But Grace, do tell me, because otherwise you'll be blaming me for
something I ought to have done."

"Blaming you! Why, Maggie, to hear you talk any one would think that I
was always scolding you. Of course if that's what you feel--"

"No, no, I don't. But I'm so careless. I forget things so. I don't want
to forget something that I ought to do."

"Yes, you are careless, Maggie. That's quite true. It's one of your
faults."

(Strange how willing we are ourselves to admit a fault and irritated
when a friend agrees about it with us.)

"Oh, I'm not always careless," said Maggie.

"Often you are, dear, aren't you? You must learn. I'm sure you'll
improve in time. I wonder whether-but no, I decided I wouldn't bother,
didn't I? Still perhaps, after all--No, I daresay it's wiser to leave
it alone."

Another little thing that the autumn emphasised was Grace's inability
to discover when a complaint or a remonstrance was decently deceased.
One evening Paul, going out in a hurry, asked Maggie to give Grace the
message that Evensong would be at 6.30 instead of 7 that day. Maggie
forgot to give the message and Grace arrived at the Church during the
reading of the second lesson.

"Oh Grace, I'm so sorry!" said Maggie.

"It doesn't matter," said Grace; "but how you could forget, Maggie, is
so strange! Do try not to forget things. I know it worries Paul. For
myself I don't care, although I do value punctuality and memory--I do
indeed. What I mean is that it isn't for my own happiness that I mind--"

"I don't want to forget," said Maggie. "One would think to hear you,
Grace, that you imagine I like forgetting."

"Really, Maggie," said Grace, "I don't think that's quite the way to
speak to me."

And again and again throughout the long winter this little episode
figured.

"You'll remember to be punctual, won't you, Maggie? Not like the time
when you forgot to tell me."

"You'll forgive me reminding you, Maggie, but I didn't want it to be
like the time you forgot to give me--"

"Oh, you'd better not trust to Maggie, Paul. Only the other day when
you gave her the message about Evensong--"

Grace meant no harm by this. Her mind moved slowly