Page:In a Steamer Chair and Other Stories.djvu/29

Rh "Well, I don't come under either exactly. I am sort of on the middle ground. I sometimes feel very old. In fact, to confess to you, I never felt older in my life than I did yesterday. To-day I am a great deal younger."

"Dear me," replied the young lady, "I am sorry to hear that."

"Sorry!" echoed her companion; "I don't see why you should be sorry. It is said that everyone rejoices in the misfortunes of others, but it is rather unusual to hear them admit it."

"It is because of my sympathy for others that I am sorry to hear you are younger to-day than you were yesterday. If you take to running along the deck to-day then the results will be disastrous, and I think you owe it to your fellow-passengers to send the steward with his gong ahead of you, so as to give people in steamer chairs warning."

"Miss Earle," said the young man, "I thought you had forgiven me for yesterday. I am sure I apologized very humbly, and am willing to apologize again to-day."

"Did I forgive you? I had forgotten!"

"But you remembered the fault. I am afraid that is misplaced forgetfulness. The truth is, I imagine, you are very unforgiving."

"My friends do not think so."