nowing all through the pages.

It snowed this morning, and from my desk I can see young Dr. Brooks
shoveling a path from his front porch. He and his mother came to
Crossroads yesterday, and they have been very busy getting settled. They
have a colored maid, Milly, but no man, and young Richard does all of
the outside work. I think I shall like him. Don't you remember how as a
little girl I always adored the Lion-hearted king? I always think of him
when I see Dr. Brooks. He isn't handsome, but he is broad-shouldered and
big and blond. I haven't had but one chance to speak to him since he and
his mother left Bower's. Perhaps I shan't have many chances to speak to
him. But a cat may look at a king!

I am all alone in the schoolroom. The children went an hour ago. Eric and
Beulah are to call for me on their way home from town. They took Peggy
with them. Did I tell you that Eric is falling in love with Beulah? I am
not sure whether it is the best thing for him, but I am sure it is for
her. She is very happy, and blushes when he looks at her. He is finer
than she, and bigger, mentally and spiritually. He is crude, but he will
grow as so many American men do grow--and there are dreams in his clear
blue eyes. And, after all, it is the dreams that count--as Salomon
discovered.

Yet it may be that Eric will bring Beulah up to his level. She is an
honest little thing and good and loving. Her life is narrow, and she
thinks narrow thoughts. But he is wise and kind, and already I can see
that she is trying to keep step with him--which is as it should be.

I like to think that father and mother kept step through all the years.
She was his equal, his comrade; she marched by his side with her head up
fitting her two short steps to his long stride.

King Richard has just waved to me. I stood up to see the sunset--a band
of gold with black above, and he waved, and started to run across the
road. Then somebody called him from the house. Perhaps it was the
telephone and his first patient. If I am ever ill, I should like to have
a Lion-hearted Doctor--wouldn't you?

* * * * *

_At the Sign of the Lantern._

I am with Diogenes in the stable, with the lantern making deep shadows,
and the loft steps for a desk. Eric and Beulah came for me before I had
asked a question--an important question--so I am finishing my letter
here, while Eric puts Daisy in her stall, and then he will post it for
me.

Diogenes