potent their seething! The overwhelming Crooper pursued his conquering
way. He leaned more and more toward the magnetic girl, his growing
tenderness having that effect upon him, and his head inclining so
far that his bedewed brow now and then touched the fluffy hat. He was
constitutionally restless, but his movements never ended by placing a
greater distance between himself and Miss Pratt, though they sometimes
discommoded Miss Parcher, who sat at the other side of him--a side of
him which appeared to be without consciousness. He played naively with
Miss Pratt's locket and with the filmy border of her collar; he flicked
his nose for some time with her little handkerchief, loudly sniffing its
scent; and finally he became interested in a ring she wore, removed it,
and tried unsuccessfully to place it upon one of his own fingers.

"I've worn lots o' girls' rings on my watch-fob. I'd let 'em wear mine
on a chain or something. I guess they like to do that with me," he said.
"I dunno why it is."

At this subtle hint the three unfortunates held their breath, and then
lost it as the lovely girl acquiesced in the horrible exchange. As for
William, life was of no more use to him. Out of the blue heaven of that
bright morning's promise had fallen a pall, draping his soul in black
and purple. He had been horror-stricken when first the pudgy finger of
George Crooper had touched the fluffy edge of that sacred little hat;
then, during George's subsequent pawings and leanings, William felt that
he must either rise and murder or go mad. But when the exchange of rings
was accomplished, his spirit broke and even resentment oozed away. For a
time there was no room in him for anything except misery.

Dully, William's eyes watched the fat shoulders hitching and twitching,
while the heavy arms flourished in gesture and in further pawings.
Again and again were William's ears afflicted with, "I dunno why it is,"
following upon tribute after tribute paid by Mr. Crooper to himself, and
received with little cries of admiration and sweet child-words on the
part of Miss Pratt. It was a long and accursed ride.

XX

SYDNEY CARTON

At the farm-house where the party were to dine, Miss Pratt with joy
discovered a harmonium in the parlor, and, seating herself, with all the
girls, Flopit, and Mr. George Crooper gathered around her, she played
an accompaniment, while George, in a thin tenor of detestable sweetness,
sang "I'm Falling in Love with