t quite take in. They said they must read
it slowly and carefully. Somehow, "I like you" and "I love you" got a
little mixed, as they heard it. It was not Number Five's fault, for she
read it beautifully, as we all agreed, and as I knew she would when I
handed it to her.

I LIKE YOU AND I LOVE YOU.

I LIKE YOU met I LOVE YOU, face to face;
The path was narrow, and they could not pass.
I LIKE YOU smiled; I LOVE YOU cried, Alas!
And so they halted for a little space.

"Turn thou and go before," I LOVE YOU said,
"Down the green pathway, bright with many a flower
Deep in the valley, lo! my bridal bower
Awaits thee." But I LIKE YOU shook his head.

Then while they lingered on the span-wide shelf
That shaped a pathway round the rocky ledge,
I LIKE YOU bared his icy dagger's edge,
And first he slew I LOVE YOU,--then himself.

VII

There is no use in burdening my table with those letters of inquiry as
to where our meetings are held, and what are the names of the persons
designated by numbers, or spoken of under the titles of the Professor,
the Tutor, and so forth. It is enough that you are aware who I am, and
that I am known at the tea-table as The Dictator. Theatrical "asides"
are apt to be whispered in a pretty loud voice, and the persons who
ought not to have any idea of what is said are expected to be reasonably
hard of bearing. If I named all The Teacups, some of them might be
offended. If any of my readers happen to be able to identify any one
Teacup by some accidental circumstance,--say, for instance, Number Five,
by the incident of her burning the diamond,--I hope they will keep quiet
about it. Number Five does n't want to be pointed out in the street as
the extravagant person who makes use of such expensive fuel, for the
story would soon grow to a statement that she always uses diamonds,
instead of cheaper forms of carbon, to heat her coffee with. So with
other members of the circle. The "Cracked Teacup," Number Seven, would
not, perhaps, be pleased to recognize himself under that title. I repeat
it, therefore, Do not try to identify the individual Teacups. You will
not get them right; or, if you do, you may too probably make trouble.
How is it possible that I can keep up my freedom of intercourse with you
all if you insist on bellowing my "asides" through a speaking-trumpet?
Besides, you cannot have failed to see that there are strong symptoms
of the springing up