the money saved from such work I bought
books and newspapers, and at night I sat up. I read, and epitomized what
I read; and I found time to write some plays, and find out how hard it
is to make your thoughts look anything but imbecile fools when you paint
them with ink and paper. In the holidays I learnt a great deal more. I
made acquaintances, saw a few places and many people, and some different
ways of living, which is more than any books can show one. On the whole,
I am not dissatisfied with my four years. I have not learnt what I
expected; but I have learnt something else. What have you been doing?"

"Nothing."

"That is not possible. I shall find out by and by."

They still stepped on side by side over the dewy bushes. Then suddenly
she turned on him.

"Don't you wish you were a woman, Waldo?"

"No," he answered readily.

She laughed.

"I thought not. Even you are too worldly-wise for that. I never met a
man who did. This is a pretty ring," she said, holding out her little
hand, that the morning sun might make the diamonds sparkle. "Worth fifty
pounds at least. I will give it to the first man who tells me he would
like to be a woman. There might be one on Robbin Island (lunatics at the
Cape are sent to Robbin Island) who would win it perhaps, but I doubt
it even there. It is delightful to be a woman; but every man thanks the
Lord devoutly that he isn't one."

She drew her hat to one side to keep the sun out of her eyes as she
walked. Waldo looked at her so intently that he stumbled over the
bushes. Yes, this was his little Lyndall who had worn the check
pinafores; he saw it now, and he walked closer beside her. They reached
the next camp.

"Let us wait at this camp and watch the birds," she said, as an ostrich
hen came bounding toward them with velvety wings outstretched, while far
away over the bushes the head of the cock was visible as he sat brooding
on the eggs.

Lyndall folded her arms on the gate bar, and Waldo threw his empty bag
on the wall and leaned beside her.

"I like these birds," she said; "they share each other's work, and are
companions. Do you take an interest in the position of women, Waldo?"

"No."

"I thought not. No one does, unless they are in need of a subject upon
which to show their wit. And as for you, from of old you can see nothing
that is not separated from you by a few millions of miles, and strewed
over with mystery. If women were the inhabitants of Jupiter, of whom