he wonder of
her lay in the sparkle of her inner self. Every gleam of the deep true
eyes, every impulsive motion of the slight supple body, expressed some
phase of her infinite variety. Her flying moods swept her from demure
to daring, from warm to cool. And for all her sweet derision her friends
knew a heart full of pure, brave enthusiasms that would endure.

"I don't believe in indiscriminate charity," Jeff explained, and he took
another bite.

"Have you no sympathy for the deserving poor?" she pleaded. "Besides,
since you're a socialist, it isn't your apple any more than it is mine.
Bring my half up to me, sir."

"Your half is the half I've already eaten. And if you knew as much as
you pretend to about socialism you'd know it isn't yours until you've
earned it."

Her eyes danced. He noticed that beneath each of them was a sprinkle of
tiny powdered freckles. "But haven't I earned it? Didn't I blister my
hands pulling you aboard?"

He promptly shifted ground. "We're living under the capitalistic system.
You earn it and I eat it," he argued. "The rest of this apple is my
reward for having appropriated what didn't belong to me."

"But that's not fair. It's no better than stealing."

"Sh--h! It's high finance. Don't use that other word," he whispered.
"And what's fair hasn't a thing to do with it. It's my apple because
I've got it."

"But--"

He waved her protest aside blandly. "Now try to be content with the lot
a wise Providence has awarded you. I eat the apple. You see me eat it.
That's the usual division of profits. Don't be an agitator, or an
anarchist."

"Don't I get even the core?" she begged.

"I'd like to give it to you, but it wouldn't be best. You see I don't
want to make you discontented with your position in life." He flung what
was left of the apple into the sea and came up the steps to join her.

Laughter was in the eyes of both, but it died out of hers first.

"Mr. Farnum, is it really as bad as that?" Before he could find an
answer she spoke again. "I've wanted for a long time to talk with some
one who didn't look at things as we do. I mean as my father does and my
uncle does and most of my friends. Tell me what you think of it--you and
your friends."

"That's a large order, Miss Frome. I hardly know where to begin."

"Wait! Here comes Lieutenant Beauchamp to take me away. I promised to
play ring toss with him, but I don't want to go now." She led a swift
retreat to a spot on the upper