" he thought presently; "she will drop only when
she has quite made up her mind, and the bough will need a good deal of
shaking!"

"I haven't a large income," repeated Robinette, while Lavendar was
silent, "only five thousand dollars a year, which is of course
microscopic from the American standpoint and cost of living; so I
can't build free libraries and swimming baths and playgrounds, or do
any big splendid things; but I can do dear little nice ones, left
undone by city governments and by the millionaires. I can sing, and
read, and study; I can travel; and there are always people needing
something wherever you are, if you have eyes to see them; one needn't
live a useless life even if one hasn't any responsibilities. But"--she
paused--"I've been talking all this time about my own plans and
ambitions, and I began by asking yours! Isn't it strange that the
moment one feels conscious of friendship, one begins to want to know
things?"

"My sister Amy would tell you I had no ambitions, except to buy as
many books as I wish, and not to have to work too hard," said Mark
smiling, "but I think that would not be quite true. I have some, of a
dull inferior kind, not beautiful ones like yours."

"Do tell me what they are."

He shook his head. "I couldn't; they're not for show; shabby things
like unsuccessful poor relations, who would rather not have too much
notice taken of them. In a few weeks I am going to drag them out of
their retreat, brighten them up, inject some poetry into their veins,
and then display them to your critical judgment."

They were almost at a standstill now and neither of them was noticing
it at all. As Mrs. Loring moved her seat the boat lurched somewhat to
one side. Mark, to steady her, placed his hand over hers as it rested
on the rail, and she did not withdraw it. Then he found the other hand
that lay upon her knee, and took it in his own, scarcely knowing what
he did. He looked into her face and found no anger there. "I wish to
tell you more about myself," he stammered, "something not altogether
creditable to me; but perhaps you will understand. Perhaps even if you
don't understand you will forgive."

She drew her hands gently away from his grasp. "I shall try to
understand, you may rely on that!" she said.

"I'm not going to trouble you with any very dreadful confessions," he
said, "only it's better to hear things directly from the people
concerned, and you are sure to hear a wrong version soo