e work was unfinished.

Estelle, who had often studied every line of it, gave her explanations
and ideas to Raymond, while he listened with great attention. Then they
went to the ancient manor house now converted into a farm; and there the
girl had friends who provided them with tea. She made no attempt to hide
her pride at her companion, for she was a lonely little person and the
expedition with Raymond had been a great event in her life.

Exceedingly happy and contented, she walked beside him homeward in the
fading light and ceased not to utter her budding thoughts and
reflections. He proved a good listener and encouraged her, for she
amused him and really interested him. In common with her father, Raymond
was often struck by the fact that a child would consider subjects which
had never entered his head; but so it was, since Estelle's mind had been
wrought in a larger plan and compassed heights and depths, even in its
present immaturity, to which neither Waldron's nor Raymond's had
aspired. Yet the things she said were challenging, though often absurd.
Facts which he knew, though Estelle as yet did not, served to block her
ideals and explain her mysteries, yet he recognised the girl's simple
dreams, unvexed by practical considerations, or the 'nay' that real life
must make to them, were beautiful.

She spoke a good deal about the Mill, where now her chief interest
centred; and Raymond spoke about it too. And presently, after brisk
interchange of ideas, she pointed out a fact that had not struck him.

"It's a funny thing, Ray," she said, "but what you love best about the
works is the machinery; and what I love best about them is the people.
Yet I don't see how a machine can be as interesting as a girl."

"Perhaps you're wrong, Estelle. Perhaps I wish you were right. If I
hadn't found a girl more interesting--" He broke off and turned from the
road she had innocently opened into his own thoughts.

"Of course the people are more interesting, really. But because I'm keen
about the machines, you mustn't think I'm not keener still about the
people. You see the better the machines, the better time the people will
have, and the less hard and difficult and tiring for them will be their
work."

She considered this and suddenly beamed.

"How splendid! Of course I see. You _are_ clever, Ray. And it's really
the people you think of all the time."

She gave him a look of admiration.

"I expect presently they'll all see t