The Yale expositor., 1902-12-26


having spoken. What she had feared
Had yet believed impossible was the
case; the child had not realized the
situation. However. H. was too late
To draw back now: she might gloss
the matter over IL Il came 20 the
worst, but she had better open the
child's eyes a little. What did you
suppose was the meaning of all Mr..
Pages attention-his flowers. his con.
slant preference for your society"
Il knew he liked me. OF course"
Liked you? That Is rather
vague term, my dear. Didn't IL ever
occur to you that ne liked you very
much better than any one elso?'
I'm afraid that | didn't think mucl
about what ne meant" she answered.
dosoiately. I've been actlng wrongly.
Aunt Emma. IL was pleasant going
on and ON. and ! didn't realize. oh.
yes. I've been very wrong
Nonsense. What Is there wrong
about L.? You may have been a little
obtusc. perhaps. but you'll know am
other time. or rather henceforth, for
maybe there won't be another time.
You mustn't mind me. dear she add.
ed. noticing that Eleanor writhcd al
the innucndo: I'm only teasing. II
Is very likely his own fault II you
didn't know. Men are often so fear.
fully commonplace in their speech
even when tle!r actions seem de
voted"
Eleanor said. with fcrvor after a
moments silence;
Il am very much Obliged to you.
Aunt Emma"
For opening your eyes? You are
entirely welcome. IL occurred 10 me
that IL was just possible YOU might
not be- realizing the full significance
OF what such intentions ordinarily i'm.
ply II is APT 10 be a shock to n girl
II a man offers himself without h..y-
ing made his intentions pretty clear
clear beforehand. and in such cases
she sometimes says things she would
rot say N she had been more or less
prepared. though no girl Is ever quite
prepared
Emma spoke calmly. She was dis.
turbed by Elcanor's manner. and yet
she judged that her shrinking from
the idea OF beiug seriously sought In
marriage proceeded from the novelty
o. it. and that time would effect a
change. Il was advisable TO give her
as accurate glimpse OF the truth. and
yet veil Il sufficiently not to Offend
ol disgust her maidenly instincts. She
hoped she had accomplished tails. and
accordingly she was little prepared
Tor the reply she low received.
Il think. Aunt Emma. the sooner !
get to work the better. ought TO
have done so before she continued
a. Mrs. S,ags gazed nc her in blank
bew.ldcrmont but / was having such
a pleasant time lct myself drift
alonE.
Work, Eleanor? / don't under.
stand you
you know ! have always meant
100 be teacher. Uncle Harold per.
sUaded me 10 come East with him
on account of the boys. but now that
hey are established at school. and /
have had all the rest I need. should
like To try To get some pupils. or a
situation in college
"Elcaror what DO you mcan?"
Il have my own living TO make.
Aunt Emma"
Mrs. Stage broke into a nervous
laugh
Are you getting tired OF us so
soon. my dear? feared that we
should not be able long to compete
with the attractions OF the wild and
woolly West "
III | can do equally well here. !
should prefer TO remain rather than
so West; but | imagine that there are
more opportunities In some OF the
smaller new Western colleges or AGA.
denies for the kind OF position /
would rather have"
Eleanor are you crazy? Do YOU
realize what You are saying? Pupils!
position In n college! And all be.
cause ! suggested that n young man
might be In love with you! gave
you credit for mere sense"
Emma rocked her chair with offend.
ed dignity that found vent for its
pcrtup annoyance In another scurnful
laugh. Could the cllld possibly be I'M
earnest? IL was too ridiculous: and
yet there she sat. with her hands
clasped before her. and an intense
expression which might botoken any.
thinE.
No. Aunt Emma. Mr.. Page had
nothing 10 do with Il. except that n II
had rot been for him | should very
likely have begun to make some ln.
quiries before we came TO Beverly. as
To my chances Of finding employment.
ought To have done so. hut. as have
already said. / was weak enough To
put II OF n little longer am pro.
posing merely TO carry out the plan
| have had In mind all along-my life.
work"
Emma looked nj her curiously
You are talking gibbcrlsh. DO you
not consider Il part OF n woman's life.
work 10 be well married."
III II so happens. certainly"