imply knocked end over end. No man, having as
sweet a wife as Rita, ever amounted to anything, unless she happened to
be ambitious, and Rita has no more ambition than a spring violet. Such a
woman, unless she is ambitious, takes all the ambition out of a man. She
becomes sufficient for him. She absorbs his aspirations, and gives him
in exchange nothing but contentment. Of course, if she is ambitious and
sighs for a crown for him, she is apt to lead him to it. But Rita knows
how to do but one thing well--first conjugation, present infinitive,
_amare_. She knows all about that, and she will bring you mere
happiness--nothing else. By Jove, I'm sorry for you. You'll only be
happy."

"But, Billy Little," cried Dic, "you have it wrong. Don't you see that
she will be an inspiration? She will fire me. I will work and achieve
greater things for her sake than I could possibly accomplish without
her."

"That's why you're going to New York, is it?" asked Dic's cynical
friend.

"Well, you know, that was her first request, and--and, you must
understand--"

"Yes, I understand. I know she will coax you out of leaving her side
long enough to plow a corn row if you are not careful. There'll be happy
times for the weeds. Women of Rita's sort are like fire and water, Dic;
they are useful and delightful, but dangerous. No man, however wise,
knows their power. Egad! One of them would coax the face off of ye if
she wanted it, before you knew you had a face. It's their God-given
privilege to coax; but bless your soul, Dic, what a poor world this
would be without their coaxing. God pity the man who lacks it! Eh, Dic?"
Billy was thinking of his own loneliness.

"Rita certainly knows how to coax," replied Dic. "And--and it is very
pleasant."

"Have you an engagement ring for her?" asked Billy.

"No," responded Dic, "I can't afford one now, and Rita doesn't expect
it. After I'm established in the law, I'll buy her a beautiful ring."

"After you're established in the law! If the poor girl waits for
that--but she shan't wait. I have one here," said Billy, drawing forth
the ivory box. "I value it above all my possessions." His voice broke
piteously. "It is more precious to me ... than words can ... tell or ...
money can buy. It brought me ... my first great joy ... my first great
grief. I give it to you, Dic, that you may give it to Rita. Egad! I
believe I've taken a cold from the way my eyes water. There, there,
don't thank me, or I'll ta