were speeding on our way that
afternoon in the cars, he came to my side and handed me a small roll of
bills.

"Would you like to buy that widower friend of yours a warm suit of
clothes for the winter? Mrs. Flaxman will show you a suitable furnishing
establishment. Philanthropists must do all sorts of things, as you will
find."

"You are very kind after all, Mr. Winthrop. I wish I could tell you how
grateful I am. Please forgive all my rude speeches--I hope I will never
get provoked with you again."

"I most certainly hope you will. A little spice adds greatly to the
flavor of one's daily food."

He walked away; and first counting my gift, I found, to my surprise, that
it amounted to fifty dollars. I opened my little velvet satchel--my
traveling companion for many a weary mile--and laid it safely in one of
the pockets. I had plenty of leisure that afternoon for fancy to paint
all sorts of pictures. Mr. Winthrop was at the farther end of the car,
with a group of friends he had met; and Mrs. Flaxman, a nervous traveler
at the best, was trying to forget the discomforts of travel as she sat
with her easy-chair wheeled into a sheltered corner, sleeping as much as
possible. I watched the rapidly disappearing views from my windows, some
of them causing pleasant thoughts, and sometimes re-touching memories so
remote they seemed like experiences of another existence, which my soul
had known before it came under its present limitations. There were
cottages that we flew past, reminding me of the Larkum abode; these I
kept wearily peopling with white, sightless faces, and hungry, sad-faced
women and children.

When at last my own thoughts were beginning to consume me, Mr. Winthrop
came and sat near me.

"Is a journey in the cars equal to an hour spent with your widows?" he
asked.

"I have enjoyed the drive. One sees so much that is new, and is food for
thought, only the mind gets wearied with such swift variety."

He was silent for some time, then, with a complete change of topic he
said,

"I have been glad to hear you practicing so industriously on the piano.
Some day you may have a more appreciative audience than Mrs. Flaxman
and myself."

"It has helped to occupy my time. I do not know that much else has been
accomplished."

"That is not a very wise reason for so occupying your time."

"One must get through it some way. In pleasant weather, getting
acquainted with nature, in field and garden and by the seashore,