Through stained glass by George Agnew Chamberlain
page 190 of 319 (59%)
page 190 of 319 (59%)
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that of your cargo left, can't you trade honestly with life? Can't you
make life worth while, not only just to yourself? You'll be trading in compensations, it's true." Leighton started walking up and down again. "In one of my many brilliant moments," he went on, "I defined a compensation to Lewis as something that doesn't quite compensate. There you have the root of most of the sadness in life. But believe me, my dear girl, almost all the live people you and I know are trading in compensations, and this is what I want you to fasten on. Some of them do it nobly." Leighton stood with folded arms, frowning at the floor. Vi looked up at him but could not catch his eye. She rose, picked up her wraps, and then came and stood before him. She laid her fingers on his arms. "Grapes," she said, still without a drawl, "you _have_ helped me--a lot. Good night." She held up her lips. "No, Vi," said Leighton, gravely. "Just give up paying even for kindness with a kiss." Vi nodded her head. "You're right; only--that kiss wouldn't have been as old as I." She turned from him. "I don't think I'll call you 'Grapes' any more." "Yes, you will," said Leighton. "We're born into one name; we earn another. We've got a right to the one we earn. You see, even a man can't |
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