do for me. I
know in what college I'll take my degree, and I wish they'd let me
write the letters after my name as the men do."

"What letters, Lily?"

"O. M., for Old Maid. I don't see why it shouldn't be as good as
B. A. for Bachelor of Arts. It would mean a great deal more."

CHAPTER LXXVII

The Shattered Tree

When Mrs. Arabin saw Johnny in the middle of the day, she could hardly
give him much encouragement. And yet she felt by no means sure that
he might not succeed even yet. Lily had been very positive in her
answers, and yet there had been something either in her words or in
the tone of her voice, which had made Mrs. Arabin feel that even Lily
was not quite sure of herself. There was still room for relenting.
Nothing, however, had been said which could justify her in bidding
John Eames simply "to go in and and win". "I think he is light of
heart," Lily had said. Those were the words which, of all that had
been spoken, most impressed themselves on Mrs. Arabin's memory. She
would not repeat them to her friend, but she would graft upon them
such advice as she had to give him.

And this she did, telling him that she thought that perhaps Lily
doubted his actual earnestness. "I would marry her this moment," said
Johnny. But that was not enough, as Mrs. Arabin knew, to prove his
earnestness. Many men, fickle as weathercocks, are ready to marry
at the moment,--are ready to marry at the moment, because they are
fickle, and think so little about it. "But she hears, perhaps, of
your liking other people," said Mrs. Arabin. "I don't care a straw for
any other person," said Johnny. "I wonder whether if I was to shut
myself up in a cage for six months, it would do any good?" "If she
had the keeping of the cage, perhaps it might," said Mrs. Arabin. She
had nothing more to say to him on that subject, but to tell him that
Miss Dale would expect him that afternoon at half-past five. "I told
her that you would come to wish her good-by, and she promised to see
you."

"I wish she'd say she wouldn't see me. Then there would be some
chance," said Johnny.

Between him and Mrs. Arabin, the parting was very affectionate. She
told him how thankful she was for his kindness in coming to her,
and how grateful she would ever be,--and the dean also,--for his
attention to her. "Remember, Mr. Eames, that you will always be most
welcome at the Deanery of Barchester. And I do hope that before long
you may be there with your wife.