t_ what you call it? It's not the
word I should have used, or have expected from you, Tom, or from any of
my friends."

"No! Perhaps not, but it _is_ interesting all the same, for one is so
curious to see what will happen next. When you have planned out your
life, and fitted in everything towards one end, and then suddenly, by no
fault of your own, that end is made impossible--why, if you believe in a
purpose in things, what could be more interesting and exciting? What
_is_ to happen next? What is one to do? It is like reading a story in
parts, and breaking off just at the critical crisis. I should like to
turn over the pages, Evie, and see what is going to happen to you!"

Evie smiled faintly.

"Would you, Tom? I am afraid I have been hiding my head like an
ostrich, and trying not to look forward, but your view is the healthier,
and I'll try to adopt it. I don't give up all idea of teaching, though
big schools are impossible. Perhaps they would take me at some small,
old-fashioned seminary where sports are considered unladylike, and the
pupils take their exercise in a crocodile up and down the parade."

"Ugh!" said Tom, with a grimace which twisted every feature out of
recognition. "No, surely, Evie, you will never condescend to that! You
lie low for a bit and get strong, and keep up your classics, and I'll
see if I can't find you some coaching to do among the girls I meet. If
you could get along that way for a few years it would be all right, for
I shall be settled by that time and able to look after you. You shall
be my secretary, dear, and have a jolly little den to yourself, where I
can take refuge when the girls get too much for me. We could be very
happy together, you and I, couldn't we, and grow into two nice,
contented old maids, with too much to do to have time to envy our
neighbours?"

She fixed her bright little eyes on Evie's face as she asked the
question, and to her horror and dismay Evie felt the colour rush to her
cheeks and mount higher and higher in a crimson tide which refused to be
restrained by the most desperate mental efforts. How idiotic to blush
at nothing--how senseless, how humiliating, and how quite too ridiculous
of Tom to turn aside and stare at the opposite side of the room in that
ostentatious manner! Evie felt inclined to shake her, but at that
opportune moment Rhoda returned, and during the remainder of Tom's visit
there was no opportunity for private confidences.