he said, looking
across at her, with a shake of his head, as though she did not
appreciate the subject, "that idea that everything in the universe was
made for Man."

"Why?" inquired Gabriella, resigning herself to the perilous and the
irresistible.

"Well, in old times it led men to think that since everything else
belonged to them, so did woman: therefore when they wanted her they did
not ask for her; they took her."

"It is much better arranged at present, whatever the reason."

"Now a man cannot always get one, even when he asks for her," and David
turned red again and knotted his hands.

"I am so glad the schoolhouse was not damaged by the storm," observed
Gabriella, reflecting.

David fell into a revery but presently awoke.

"There are more men than women in the world. On an average, that is
only a fraction of a woman to every man. Still the men cannot take care
of them. But it ought to be a real pleasure to every man to take care
of an entire woman."

"Did you ever notice the hands in that portrait?"

David glanced at the portrait without noticing it, and went his way.

"Since a man knows nothing else was created for him, he feels his
loneliness without her so much more deeply. They ought to be very good
and true to each other--a man and a woman--since they two are alone in
the universe."

He gulped down his words and stood up, trembling.

"I must be going," he said, without even looking at Gabriella, and went
out into the hall for his coat.

"Bring it in here." she called. "It is cold out there." She watched how
careless he was about making himself snug for his benumbing walk. He
had a woollen comforter which he left loosely tied about his neck.

"Tie it closer," she commanded. "You had a cold last night, and it is
worse tonight. Tuck it in close about your neck."

David made the attempt. He was not thinking.

"This way!" And Gabriella showed him by using her fingers around her
own neck and collar.

He tried again and failed, standing before her with a mingling of
embarrassment and stubborn determination.

"That will never do!" she cried with genuine concern. She took hold of
the comforter by the ends and drew the knot up close to his throat, he
lifting his head to receive it as it came. Then David with his eyes on
the ceiling felt his coat collar turned up and her soft warm fingers
tucking the comforter in around his neck. When he looked down, she was
standing over by the fireplace.

"