en Clark gave himself
up to taking soundings, as it were, in the sea of his destiny, he
distinguished in his own nature that curious duality of sex which makes
it possible for certain rare individuals to self satisfy their
emotional appetites, and that it was this which had kept him single and
unfettered. If he had a craving he could forthwith produce that which
appeased it. He luxuriated in the revelations of his own perception.
To him the inarticulate thing became vocal with possibilities. He was
conscious of no unsatisfied need. And yet, for all of this, the vision
of the girl, Elsie, began to blend with his thoughts.

XII.--LOVE AND DOUBT

Some three months later Belding was walking slowly down the main street
of St. Marys. He felt fagged and the sun was hot. Just as he reached
the Dibbotts' white gate he heard a clear voice from behind the clump
of azaleas that screened the cottage from the road.

"Come in, Mr. Belding."

He lifted the latch and saw Mrs. Dibbott in a white dress on the porch.
She seemed cool and restful.

"Sit down here. My, but you look tired!"

"I am," he admitted, mopping his face.

"Then sit where you are and have some elderberry wine and cookies.
They're right from the oven."

He sighed with relief and began to munch contentedly. He had not known
how tired he was, and Mrs. Dibbott's cookies were famous.

"You look played out," she went on sympathetically. "How's Elsie
Worden?"

"Well. But I don't see very much of her nowadays."

"Why?"

"Work." His brain was fermenting with half completed plans and
calculations. He might as well lay it to that.

"Well, why don't you two get married? You will be old before your
time."

Belding shook his head. "It takes two to make a bargain."

"But it doesn't take long." Mrs. Dibbott put down her crochet work.
"Don't you think your friend Mr. Clark depends just a little too much
on individuals--I include himself in that?"

"Perhaps, but it didn't occur to me. At any rate we have a one man
concern."

"And if anything happened to him, what then?" Mrs. Dibbott's eyes were
bright with inquiry. "And suppose you break down, what about Elsie?"

"Elsie wouldn't be affected," he said slowly.

"Then you two are not engaged?"

"I thought we would be by this time but I guessed wrong."

Mrs. Dibbott was full of sympathy. "I suppose it serves me right for
poking my nose into other people's business. My, but I'm sorry!
Wh