y impertinent question--how old are you
really, Miss Sharp--?" I felt that she could not be only twenty-three
after this conversation.

She smiled--the second smile I have seen--.

"On the twentieth of October I shall be twenty-four."

"Where on earth did you learn all your philosophy of life in the time!"

"It is life which teaches us everything--if we are not half
asleep--especially if it is difficult--."

"And the stupid people are like me--not liking to learn any lessons and
kicking against the pricks--.",

"Yes--."

"I would try to learn anything you would teach me though, Miss Sharp."

"Why?"

"Because I have confidence in you"--I did not add--because I loved her
voice and respected her character and----.

"Thank you"--she said.

"Will you teach me?"

"What?"

"How not to be a rotter--."

"A man knows that himself--."

"How to learn serenity then?"

"That would be difficult."

"Am I so impossible?"

"I cannot say--but."

"But--what?"

"One would have to begin from the beginning--."

"Well?"

"And I have not time--."

I looked at her as she said this--there was in the tone a faint echo of
regret, so I wanted to see the expression of her mouth--It told me
nothing.

I could not get anything further out of her, because the waiters came in
and out after this rather frequently, changing the courses--and so I did
not have any success.

After lunch I suggested as it had cleared up that we should go at least
as far as the parterre, and sit under the shadow of the terrace--the
flower beds are full of beans now--their ancient glories departed. Miss
Sharp followed my bath chair,--and with extreme diligence kept me to the
re-arranging of the first chapter. For an hour I watched her darling
small face whenever I could. A sense of peace was upon me. We were
certainly on the first rung of the ladder of friendship--and
presently--presently--If only I could keep from annoying her in any way!

When we had finished our task she rose--.

"If you don't mind, as it is Saturday I have promised Burton"--and she
looked at him, seated on a chair beyond earshot enjoying the sun--"to do
up the accounts and prepare the cheques for you to sign--. So I will go
in now and begin."

I wanted to say "Damn the accounts"--but I let her go--I must play the
tortoise in this game, not the hare. She smiled faintly--the third
smile--as she made me a little bow, and walked off.

After a few paces she came back again