"As you do."

"What makes you think I am working 'so hard,' little Mignonette?--have
I given you that impression? I did not mean it. Do I look overworked?"

"No--" said Faith--"I think not,--but that is not the thing. Why do
you, Endecott?"

It was a very gently put question, but put with eyes and lips as well
as the sweet voice, dainty in its half timidity mixed with the
sweetness. Mr. Linden looked down at her till the question was
finished, but then he looked off at the dancing water; the smile which
had been dawning upon his lips breaking out into very full sunshine. It
was a strange smile--very enjoying and yet a little moved.

"Mignonette," he said looking down at her again, "do you know what a
dear little child you are?"

Her eyes wavered, then faced him again with a sort of smiling gravity,
as not relinquishing their answer.

"You will be dreadfully shocked if I tell you."

"Shall I?"--she said, not believing him.

"Yes. But what do you suppose I am doing?--what has put all this into
your head?"

"I heard it," said Faith.

"From whom?"

"I don't know. But somebody that wondered what you were doing it for."

"Most enigmatical information! What 'it' did somebody say I was doing?"

"Working hard--giving lessons," said Faith dropping her voice.

"Well--what else was I doing when I was here? _That_ should not shock
you, dear child."

"You were _not_ doing anything else when you were here--that is the
very thing, Endecott."

"Mignonette--I have done nothing to hurt myself, as you may see. I am
very strong to work."

She gave a little grave glance at him, grave with a background of
regretfulness, and placed herself back in her former position; pushing
her questions no further. But Mr. Linden did not look grave.

"I am quite willing to tell you all about my work," he said,--"that I
did not long ago was for two or three reasons which you will
understand. I told you once, dear Faith--upon a night which I shall
never forget--that I had means enough to carry me through my studies;
but two things made me take measures to earn a good deal more. One was,
that I would always rather work than not to have what I want to spend
in various good and pleasant ways."

"Yes--?" she said a little eagerly. He looked at her with that same
smile coming over his face.

"It will shock you," he said,--"however--The other reason was this. We
agreed how I should choose between two gardens wherein to place my
Mignon