Page:Lippincotts Monthly Magazine-70.djvu/211

Rh "No, tell me! What did you mean? I want to know. Of course I wouldn't be disgusted."

"I brought out my"

"Aren't you going to tell me? I didn't think yon would distrust my sympathy, after all these ages."

"I dob't, Mary. It's one of the things I hold to. But—I—this time I don't want it; that's the truth."

"Oh, I beg your pardon"

"Please don't! And don't look like that. Can't you do a little trusting, yourself, about now?"

"Why, yes, I will, only"

"Only I was a blundering idiot, that's all. But don't be cross with me to-night."

"Our last night for ever so long. I should say not. Why, Morris, do you know, we've never quarrelled once this whole last year?"

"Yes, I know."

"It must be because you are such a lamb! I couldn't have made such a record with one of my born brothers, and you're only an adopted one, after all."

"Adopted—let me see—the last day of October, wasn't it, a year and a half ago?"

"How do you remember? I'm not sure."

"Aren't you? It was the day we went chestnutting in the Fells, and it blew so up on the ridges. Don't you remember, your hat blew off, and we chased it half a mile down hill? The wind made little curls all over your forehead, and you said it got in your eyes, and I had to tie your hat on for you."

"Oh, my 'Tam'! Was that the day? What a good time we had,—what good times we have always had, when you think of it?—and now you won't be here for any of them. It won't be the same thing at all!"

"Shall you miss me, little sister?"

"I shall that! Nothing but a lingering sense of the proprieties keeps me from falling on your neck and imploring you to stay."

"By Jove, Mary, I wish you would! Do you know, I rather think it would 'fill a long-felt want' if you would pursue that line of conduct. You couldn't try it,—just as an experiment,—could you?"

"I'm afraid I really couldn't. But it's a great regret to me, Morris. Morris! stop—what Oh, that wasn't nice of you—it wasn't like you! I shall never dare to be nice and comfortable and silly with you again. Go right over there and sit on that chair."

"Please, Mary."

"Are you going?"

"Forgive, little sister. I'll never do so any more. I promise. Are you really angry, dear?"