g brother,_

_Michael._

Michael had meant to say much more to Stella, but ink and paper seemed
to violate the secluded airs in which Lily had her being. However,
Stella would understand by his writing at all that he was in deadly
earnest, and she was unearthly enough to supply what was missing from
his account.

Meanwhile to-morrow was Wednesday, the mate of Saturday and certainly of
all the days in the week his second favourite. Monday, of course, was
vile. Tuesday was colourless. Thursday was nearly as bad as Monday.
Friday was irksome and only a little less insipid than Tuesday. Sunday
had many disadvantages. Saturday was without doubt the best day, and
Wednesday was next best, for though it was not a half-holiday, as long
ago it had been at Randell House, still it had never quite lost its
suggestion of holiday. Wednesday--the very word said slowly had a rich
individuality. Wednesday--how promptly it sprang to the lips for any
occasion of festivity that did not require full-blown reckless Saturday.
Monday was dull red. Tuesday was cream-coloured. Thursday was dingy
purple. Friday was a harsh scarlet, but Wednesday was vivid apple-green,
or was it a clear cool blue? One or the other.

So, tantalizing himself by not allowing a single thought of Lily while
he was undressing, Michael achieved bed very easily. Here all
trivialities were dismissed, and like one who falls asleep when a star
is shining through his window-pane Michael fell asleep, with Lily
radiant above the horizon.

It was rather a disappointing Wednesday, for Lily said she could not
stay out more than a minute, since her mother was indoors and would
wonder what she was doing. However on Saturday she would see Michael
again, and announce to her mother that she was going to see him, so that
on Sunday Michael could be invited to tea.

"And then if mother likes you, why, you can often come in," Lily pointed
out. "That is, if you want to."

"Saturday," sighed Michael.

"Well, don't spoil the few minutes we've got by being miserable."

"But I can't kiss you."

"Think how much nicer it will be when we can kiss," said Lily
philosophically.

"I don't believe you care a damn whether we kiss or not," said Michael.

"Don't I?" murmured Lily, quickly touching his hand and as quickly
withdrawing it to the prison of the muff.

"Ah, do you, Lily?" Michael throbbed out.

"Of course. Now I must go. Good-bye. Don't forget Saturday in the
Gardens, whe