he's not very well. She craves acids, and--Oh!--Father? he's
very--I ain't seen him in a right smart while, sir. He's been sort o'
puny for----"

"Sorry," said the General, and was gone.

Fannie held the rose.

"Thank you," said John, looking from it to the kindness in her eye. But
she caressed the flower and shook her head.

"It's got thorns," she said, significantly, as she sat down on a step.

"Yes, I understand. I'll take it so."

"I don't know. I'm afraid you'll not want it when"--she laid it to her
lips--"when I tell you how you've disappointed me."

"Yes, I will. For--oh! Miss Fannie----"

"What, John?"

"You needn't tell me at all. I know it already. And I'm going to change
it. You shan't be disappointed. I've learned an awful lot in these last
three days--and these last three hours. I've done my last
sentimentalizing. I--I'm sure I have. I'll be too good for it, or else
too bad for it! I'll always love you, Miss Fannie, even when you're
not--Miss Fannie any more; but I'll never come using round you and
bothering you with my--feelings." He jerked out his handkerchief, but
wiped only his cap--with slow care.

"As to that, John, I shouldn't blame you if you should hate me."

"I can't, Miss Fannie. I've not done hating, I'm afraid, but I couldn't
hate you--ever. You can't conceive how sweet and good you seem to anyone
as wicked as I've been--and still am."

"You don't know what I mean, John."

"Yes, I do. But you didn't know how bad you were f-fooling me. And even
if you had of--it must be mighty hard for some young ladies not
to--to----"

"Flirt," said Fannie, looking down on her rose. "I reckon those who do
it find it the easiest and prettiest wickedness in the world, don't
they?"

"Oh, I don't know! All my wickedness is ugly and hard. But I'm glad you
expected enough of me to be disappointed."

"Yes, I did. Why, John, you never in your life offered me a sign of
regard but I felt it an honor. You've often tripped and stumbled, but
I--oh, I'm too bad myself to like a perfect boy. What I like is a boy
with a conscience."

"My guiding star!" murmured John.

"Oh! ridiculous!--No, I take that back! But--but--why, that's what
disappoints me! If you'd made me just your first mile-board. But it
hurts me--oh, it hurts me! and--far worse--it's hurting Cousin Rose
Garnet! to--now, don't flush up that way--to see John March living by
passion and not by principle!"

"H--oh! Miss Fannie!" He strained