le
spice and flavor of it had been gently infused at times into her
demeanor ever since she had been at Springdale. She could do the
uncomplaining sufferer with the happiest effect. She contrived to
insinuate at times how she didn't complain,--how dull and slow she
found her life, and yet how she endeavored to be cheerful.

"I know," she said to John when they were by themselves, "that you and
Grace both think I'm a horrid creature."

"Why, no, dearest; indeed we don't."

"But you do, though; oh, I feel it! The fact is, John, I haven't a
particle of constitution; and, if I should try to go on as Grace does,
it would kill me in a month. Ma never would let me try to do any
thing; and, if I did, I was sure to break all down under it: but, if
you say so, I'll try to go into this school."

"Oh, no, Lillie! I don't want you to go in. I know, darling, you could
not stand any fatigue. I only wanted you to take an interest,--just to
go and see them for my sake."

"Well, John, if you must go, and must keep it up, I must try to go.
I'll go with you next Sunday. It will make my head ache perhaps; but
no matter, if you wish it. You don't think badly of me, do you?" she
said coaxingly, playing with his whiskers.

"No, darling, not the least."

"I suppose it would be a great deal better for you if you had married
a strong, energetic woman, like your sister. I do admire her so; but
it discourages me."

"Darling, I'd a thousand times rather have you what you are," said
John; for--

"What she wills to do,
Seems wisest, virtuousest, discreetest, best."

"O John! come, you ought to be sincere."

"Sincere, Lillie! I am sincere."

"You really would rather have poor, poor little me than a woman like
Gracie,--a great, strong, energetic woman?" And Lillie laid her soft
cheek down on his arm in pensive humility.

"Yes, a thousand million times," said John in his enthusiasm, catching
her in his arms and kissing her. "I wouldn't for the world have you
any thing but the darling little Lillie you are. I love your faults
more than the virtues of other women. You are a thousand times better
than I am. I am a great, coarse blockhead, compared to you. I hope I
didn't hurt your feelings this noon; you know, Lillie, I'm hasty, and
apt to be inconsiderate. I don't really know that I ought to let you
go over next Sunday."

"O John, you are so good! Certainly if you go I ought to; and I shall
try my best." Then John told her all abo