The Yale expositor., 1911-11-16
Their Problem
By MARTIN GANSVOORT
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation. 1911

HclloH. she Is also dnlbltlOuS 10 ScflD-
BILE Young aspirantS for fame in the
literary field usually begin BY attempt
ing TO copy the author they consider
the nearest Ia perfecliun The other
day Molly brought mo story and
asked me Ia read and criticise 1t. |
saw at once that she had been trying
to duplicate the TWO famous authors
who inaugurated and head the intro
spective school. She called ii Their
Problem" | agreed To read chapter
or two while she waited.
A girl sat before an Oprn fire EN-.
broidering a dainty siipprred toe
peeped from the edge OF her gown.
She looked at the clock thai marked
the hour of seventeen minutes TO o.
She was expecting II young man TO
visit her
"Will he propose tonight she ask
ed herself, "or will he spend several
more months dallying? And am
ready to give him a definite answer?
What does my heart say? Vainly
have asked the question. Is he in
doubt as TO his own heart. or are there
practical reasons for this delay? Is
he a delayer or a triaer?'
She dropped her work in her lap.
supported her temple with her fair,
round hand and peered into the fire.
She had asked herself seven ques-
tions and had no answer for any one
of them. Having an analytical mind,
she set herself to the task of unravel-
ing the problem of which they were a
part, beginning with one that concerned
her own inner consciousness. Know
thyself," said the Greek philosopher.
eff do not know my own mind, how
can l expect John to know his? Let
me first determine that on which all
the rest depends. DO l love him?
what is love? Poets have sung it,
artists have painted 1t. hut who has
told us what it is"
Here at the outset GwendOlen was
baked in her queries. How could she
determine whether or no she loved
John when she did not know what
love is? Either / must define love.
she mused, "or | shall not be ready
with his answer when he comes.
She took up box of bonbons h.
had sent her that afternoon. and. in.
closing one Of them between her fore
finger and thumb-the nails were
pared in pointed style she put it be-
tween her coral lips. biting II with her
white teeth. Then she sat herself to
the task Of defining love.
Suppose" she said, II make Il few
hypothesis rs to the nature of love.
Thus perhaps | may be abe To select
the one that nearest fits my own
case.
"A man is attentive to girl. He
sends her candy and flowers. She
eats the candy and inha'cs the deli
cious odOr of the flowers She con-
siders the donor nice. il9 continues
these trifing gifts. He pays her com
pliments. She comes to consider him
very nice. Suddenly he ceases his at
tentions and bestows them on another
girl. The first is furious.
'Is this case Of true love?
- girl goes to matinee. The
hero OF the drama thrills her. She
goes again and again, never contented
unless looking upon his noble features.
listening to the godlke sentiments he
expresses in his deep meodious voice.
''He is pointed out to her on the
street in checkerboard suit. His head
is q third smaller than when on the
stage. His Roman nose has become a
pug. She hears him make coarse
remark. She turns away, sadder and
wiser.
"Is this love?
"a young man sees a girl at a win
dow. She looks down upon him for
moment, and their eyes meet A clan
destine affair is the result The girl
is intended for splendid marriage.
whereas her admirer Is a poor artist
She is kept Il prisoner, but finds OPP
portunity for fight and marries her
artist. The depth of the passion be-
tween them has overcome all obsta-
cles.
"This is love"
For a moment Gwendolen's eye
frightened under the belief that she
had solved the problem. but the next
she sighed.
"How long will it last?"
There was another encouragement.
No opposition had been made by her
parents or any one else's to Johns at
tentions; nothing to kindle that flame
she considered necessary TO true love.
John was proceeding In the usual way
OF men who have met girls they wish
to marry, sending candy. flowers, thea
ter tickets and such gifts as are per-
missible for young lady to accept
/ had read thus far when | threw
down the manuscript impatiently.
"Do read on little longer, uncle"
pleaded Molly.
"What comes nextT
"What next? Why, John. he looks
into his feeling toor'
"For how longT'
"For the next chapter"
"When do they solve the problem"