sing things, but they are dangerous
only when they are allowed to settle. This old house of yours has its
back to the sun."

"I can read your parable, Grizel, but circumstances--like houses--are
not easily turned round. Life has made chains for me from which I
cannot escape. Katrine--"

"I rather--suspect," interrupted Grizel drawling, "that Katrine's chains
are slackening! Some one, or something, has been supplying the oil.
Another creak or two and she will be breaking loose, and going off at a
tangent which will surprise your innocent mind!"

"Symbols again! I don't follow so easily this time, but if the signs
are good, I am uncommonly thankful. I can talk openly to you, Grizel,
for you won't misunderstand. Katrine is--on my mind! Perhaps it would
be more honest if I said on my _nerves_! I've a suspicion that I'm on
her nerves also, and the mischief of it is, that things are growing
worse. There's nothing definitely wrong, and yet there's--everything!
I feel an utter brute."

To his astonishment, to his relief, Grizel laughed; a blithe and
comfortable laugh. They had reached the summit of the orchard by this
time, and had paused to look down at the twinkling lights of the village
before turning back to the house.

"Poor, dear, conventional brute! Am I expected to be shocked? I'm not
one bit, and I can't pretend to be. It's not your fault, and it's not
Katrine's. You have both done your laborious bests to accomplish
something that has never been accomplished by effort since the world
began, and you are both overcome with Remorse because it has failed.
I'd like to present you with a putty medal apiece to the memory of a
successful failure. You have lived together, two utter strangers, who
happen to have been born brother and sister, for eight long years
without once descending to violence. It's magnificent, it's incredible!
You ought to be intoxicated with pride! It's the most unique quality
on earth which enables two people to live in happiness and
understanding, and what constitutes it, the dickens only knows. We've
got it,--my old Buddy and I. We are at opposite ends of the poles, we
can on occasions quarrel like cats, but in the main we understand; we
_fit_! You and Katrine don't touch within miles. There's no credit,
there's no blame. Fate placed us together, not choice. I have
succeeded because--please realise this!--I didn't need _to try_. You,
poor lambs, have tried away what littl