Page:Poet Lore, volume 29, 1918.pdf/104



Maid (Combing hair).—And he said, the eighth.

Mistress.—What did he mean by that?

Maid.—I have puzzled my head over it for a long time. He evidently was looking at the sky; it was full of stars. But what did the word “eighth” signify?

Mistress.—Did he stand in that position long?

Maid.—Very long. And as if his whole life were in his eyes. He didn’t even move. He didn’t even hear my footsteps, not even the rustle of the grass. It is true though, that I walked very softly.

Mistress.—What could he be wondering about?

Maid.—I don’t know. He is so handsome. Why did he gaze at the stars, when there are so many eyes here? I don’t know, unless

Mistress.—Unless?

Maid. I have an idea. It was not the first night that he has stood thus and looked at the heavens.