to me that day in the karoo was sitting between them. The
ladies were very pretty, and their dresses beautiful. I do not think
they had been listening to the music, for they were talking and laughing
very softly. I heard all they said, and could even smell the rose on the
breast of one. I was afraid he would see me; so I went to the other side
of the tree, and soon they got up and began to pace up and down in the
avenue.

"All the time the music played they chatted, and he carried on his arm
the scarf of the prettiest lady. I did not hear the music; I tried to
catch the sound of his voice each time he went by. When I was listening
to the music I did not know I was badly dressed; now I felt so ashamed
of myself. I never knew before what a low, horrible thing I was, dressed
in tancord. That day on the farm, when we sat on the ground under the
thorn-trees, I thought he quite belonged to me; now, I saw he was not
mine. But he was still as beautiful. His brown eyes are more beautiful
than any one's eyes, except yours.

"At last they turned to go, and I walked after them. When they got out
of the gate he helped the ladies into a phaeton, and stood for a moment
with his foot on the step talking to them. He had a little cane in his
hand, and an Italian greyhound ran after him. Just when they drove away
one of the ladies dropped her whip.

"'Pick it up, fellow,' she said; and when I brought it her she threw
sixpence on the ground. I might have gone back to the garden then; but I
did not want music; I wanted clothes, and to be fashionable and fine. I
felt that my hands were coarse, and that I was vulgar. I never tried to
see him again.

"I stayed in my situation four months after that, but I was not happy.
I had no rest. The people about me pressed on me, and made me
dissatisfied. I could not forget them. Even when I did not see them they
pressed on me, and made me miserable. I did not love books; I wanted
people. When I walked home under the shady trees in the street I could
not be happy, for when I passed the houses I heard music, and saw faces
between the curtains. I did not want any of them, but I wanted some one
for mine, for me. I could not help it. I wanted a finer life.

"Only one day something made me happy. A nurse came to the store with a
little girl belonging to one of our clerks. While the maid went into the
office to give a message to its father, the little child stood looking
at me. Presently she came close t