drilled private obediently receiving them, and both wore the air
of soldiers getting ready for a battle, with the bracing of nerves and
quickening of the blood brave souls feel as they put on their armor. At
the last words he went to her, brushed back the hair, and kissed her on
the forehead with a tender sort of gravity and a look that made her
feel as if he had endowed her with the Victoria Cross for courage on the
field.

No more was said then, for Aunt Plenty called them down and the day's
duties began. But that brief talk showed Rose what to do and fitted her
to do it, for it set her to thinking of the duty one owes one's self in
loving as in all the other great passions or experiences which make or
mar a life.

She had plenty of time for quiet meditation that day because everyone
was resting after yesterday's festivity, and she sat in her little room
planning out a new year so full of good works, grand successes, and
beautiful romances that if it could have been realized, the Millennium
would have begun. It was a great comfort to her, however, and lightened
the long hours haunted by a secret desire to know when Charlie would
come and a secret fear of the first meeting. She was sure he would be
bowed down with humiliation and repentance, and a struggle took place
in her mind between the pity she could not help feeling and the
disapprobation she ought to show. She decided to be gentle, but very
frank; to reprove, but also to console; and to try to improve the
softened moment by inspiring the culprit with a wish for all the virtues
which make a perfect man.

The fond delusion grew quite absorbing, and her mind was full of it as
she sat watching the sun set from her western window and admiring with
dreamy eyes the fine effect of the distant hills clear and dark against
a daffodil sky when the bang of a door made her sit suddenly erect in
her low chair and say with a catch in her breath: "He's coming! I must
remember what I promised Uncle and be very firm."

Usually Charlie announced his approach with music of some sort. Now he
neither whistled, hummed, nor sang, but came so quietly Rose was sure
that he dreaded this meeting as much as she did and, compassionating
his natural confusion, did not look around as the steps drew near. She
thought perhaps he would go down upon his knees, as he used to after a
boyish offense, but hoped not, for too much humility distressed her, so
she waited for the first demonstration an