window above. "I've come after some roses, if I can find any.
Nothing satisfies Miss Webster but roses on the mantel-shelf of her
sitting-room, and it does not matter to her whether they are in season
or out. Roses she must have. Are there any coming on, Tom?"

[Illustration: "I've come after some roses."]

"Bother the roses!" said Tom, impatiently. "You've been back nearly a
fortnight, and have not spoken a word to me yet."

"That's ungrateful. I walked to church with you on Sunday evening, and
I told you lots of things I did when we were away."

"Dixon joined us, and you let him!" said Tom, angrily.

"How could I help it?" Rose answered, arching her pretty brows. "I
could not say I didn't want him, could I?"

"Are you going to walk with him or me, Rose? I asked you before you
went away, and I want to know now."

Rose meditatively clipped off a bud, crying out a little as a thorn
pricked her finger, holding out the injured member for Tom to look at;
but he looked over it at her, a flush on his handsome face.

"It may be play to you; it isn't to me," he said, his voice shaking a
little. "Did you get the letter I wrote?"

"I don't know; I forget. I had a lot of letters. Yes, I expect I did."

"And you didn't trouble to answer it?"

"It's clear you don't know what a lot a lady's maid has to do when
she's travelling," said Rose, petulantly. "It's 'Lancaster' here and
'Lancaster' there, and you've no sooner packed up than you begin
unpacking again. What time should I get for answering letters?'"

"I wanted to know if you'd thought over what I said?"

"You can't expect me to remember what you said six weeks ago."

"You do remember, only you don't want to give a straight answer.
That's about it," said Tom, bitterly.

"I like walking with you both, though not together. There!" cried
Rose, with a defiant toss of her head. "I'm young; I don't mean to be
tied!"

"But you'll care for the one who loves you best, and that's me!" burst
out poor Tom. "Dixon may be smarter, and he's a deal better off; but
he's a glib sneak, and I know it. I'll wait three months, and then
I'll have my answer; and if it's 'No' I'll be fit to drown myself," and
Tom's voice broke off in something very like a sob.

Rose was flattered but frightened at realizing her power over the lad.
It was like a book, that he should threaten to drown himself for love
of her; but of course he did not mean it. She was sorry for him; when