tle baby, I shall owe to you the sole love that is sorrowful and
perfect, the love that neither barters nor expects reward. Since I have
given everything, you will owe me nothing."

* * * * *

Shall I have the courage to say this to him? It will be hard perhaps,
but already I find that it is a veritable grace from heaven to have
twenty years in which to attain to such courage.

* * * * *

Here he is coming back, running this time and brandishing in his plump
hand a twig he has broken off all by himself. He drops plump on his
knees as on two round balls, all hampered in his clumsy race to me. His
chubby cheeks are stained with crimson. He throws himself on me.
"Mother," he lisps, the little flatterer....

The mournful moment of a kiss, the exasperating moment of an abortive
embrace, the fleeting moment of contact--he is gone.

XV

The test has been made.

We have lived side by side in the heart of the country, we have done the
humble things of daily life together, have shared its immediate
exigencies, have enjoyed the wild spirit of long walks together, the
redolent silence of the little wood, all the freedom written on the face
of the earth and carried by the waters. After this we shall feel that
the looks we exchange are sisterly, and I have the improbable hope of
some day being able to say: "I have found a woman friend."

Her very name seems wonderful. Eva....

I met her in the office where I work. What a lovely vision the first
day! You so rarely find strength blended with sweetness in a woman that
her bearing seemed a little supernatural. It was merely self-assurance,
however, and the majesty of perfect health that gave her her superb
manner of treading the waves. You noticed her tallness and fearless
vitality, and did not try to question her eyes for the secret being in
her. This was fully expressed by her quick gestures, the smile of her
frank lips, the fearless carriage of her head, the straightforward look
of her beautiful brown eyes.

A sort of reserve established a connection between us at first.

I noticed her diligence, her desire to do well, and a something like
heroism, which made her rush into the forefront of life and carry away a
little more than her share of the burden.

Our silent understanding lasted for some time. Perhaps without our
knowledge the intuition brooding in women brought us closer than words
could have done.