Page:Many inventions (IA manyinventions00kipliala).pdf/360

 Leo said beneath his breath to the man: ' What was the new name that I heard you give to your woman just now?'

The man answered, ' Darling, of course.'

'Why "of course"?' said Leo; 'and if of course, what does it mean?'

'It means " very dear,' and you have only to look at your wile to see why.'

'I see,' said Leo; ' you are quite right'; and when the man and the woman had gone on he called the Girl 'darling wife'; and the Girl wept again from sheer happiness.

'TI think, she said at last, wiping her eyes, 'I think that we two have neglected men and women too much. What did you do with the sacrifices they made to you, Leo?*

'I let them burn, said Leo; 'I could not eat them. What did you do with the flowers?'

'I let them wither. I could not wear them, I had so many of my own,' said the Girl, 'and now I am sorry,'

'There is nothing to grieve for,' said Leo; 'we belong to each other.'

as they were talking the years of men's life slipped by unnoticed, and presently the man and the Woman came back, both white-headed, the man carrying the woman.

'We have come to the end of things, said the man quietly. 'This that was my wife—'

'As I am Leo's wife, said the Girl quickly, her eyes staring,

'—was my wife, has been killed by one of your Houses.' The man set down his burden, and laughed.