established, she has the perfectly
ludicrous idea that she is not as young as she used to be. She feels
like an ambitious thoroughbred that's been left at the post."

To this characterization of Evelyn Lucy took opposing views. Her
friend, as a matter of fact, wasn't in the least lonely, but was
excellent company for herself, and led a full life. She was not the
marrying kind. If she liked men it was only because they played the
games she liked to play better than women play them. "Imagine Evelyn,"
she said, "unable to eat, unable to sleep! Imagine her sitting at the
window in her nightgown and looking pensively at the moon!"

"Funny," I said, "but that's just what I was imagining. All girls do
it and some wives. It's as much a part of a girl as long hair, and the
fear of spiders. If a girl didn't get her moon bath now and then,
she'd just shrivel up and die."

"Well," said Lucy, and she pretended to sigh, "there may be something
in it. But not for Evelyn."

A moment later.

"Listen," she said, "just to make me out wrong, and win my good money
you wouldn't----"

"My word," I said, "you are suspicious. But I thought you were a born
matchmaker. I thought you'd be pleased if you got Evelyn and me
married!"

"It wouldn't do at all," she said.

"Why not?"

"Oh," she said, "if you must know, it's because I like
you--both--better the way you are."

And from a walk she put her pony into a brisk gallop, and I followed
suit, and caught up with her. And I was a little moved and troubled by
what she had said. For it seemed to me as if she had said it of me
alone, and that the inclusion of Evelyn in that delayed and hanging
fire "both" of her phrase had been an afterthought.

After a pleasant uphill while of soft galloping, she signaled with her
hand, and once more the ponies walked.

"Tell me truthfully," she said. "_Are_ you interested in Evelyn?"

"Is it manners for a man to say he isn't interested in a girl?"

"You couldn't say it to me, because--Oh, because I really want to know."

"Mrs. Fulton," I said, "if I've made her think so, I deserve to be
kicked."

"Then that's all right. She knows exactly the value to put on your
attentions. And I'm glad."

"Why?"

"I don't think it would be much fun to ride with a man who couldn't
bring his mind along with him, do you? Especially now that all the
flowers are popping out and it's so lovely in the woods."

"But," I said, "you have yet to forg