"I'm not sure. I'm afraid there must be
such dreadful crowds of people. Of course
I should try to feel that they were all like
me, with just the same sort of fears, and
that it was ridiculous for us to be afraid of
each other, when at heart we all meant to
be kind."

Jessica fairly wrung her hands. "Hea-
vens!" she cried. "I said you would like
New York. I am afraid, my dear, that it
will break your heart!"

"Oh," said Mrs. Brainard, with what was
meant to be a gentle jest, "no one can
break my heart except Leroy. I should
not care enough about any one else, you
know."

The compliment was an exquisite one.
I felt the blood creep to my own brain in
a sort of vicarious rapture, and I avoided
looking at Leroy lest he should dislike to
have me see the happiness he must feel.
The simplicity of the woman seemed to
invigorate me as the cool air of her moun-
tains might if it blew to me on some bright
dawn, when I had come, fevered and sick
of soul, from the city.