Page 18 (2/2)

innocent devotion must touch any woan to be glad to see him As for his drama, it

was beautiful, she said

"No," Sam told her, "it isn't--yet You don't know But I like to read

it to you, even if you don't" His candor h, and before

she knew it in spite of the difference in their years they were

friends As Willia said, she was lonely, and Sam's devotion was

at least an interest Besides, she really liked the boy; he amused

her, and her empty days were so devoid of amusement! "I can't read

novels all the time," she complained In this very bread-and-butter

sort of interest she had no thought of possible consequences to

Sam A certain pleasant indolence of mind made it easy not to think of

consequences at all But he had begun to love her--with that first

passion of youth so divinely tender and ridiculous! After a while he

talked less of his play and more of himself He told her of his

difficulties at hoirls

were