neighbouring landowners, who were few and far between, and of the
professional people in Norcester, were at such times as Stephen met
them, generally so much on their good behaviour, that the spontaneity
of play, through which it is that sharp corners of individuality are
knocked off or worn down, did not exist.

And so Stephen learned to read in the Book of Life; though only on
one side of it. At the age of six she had, though surrounded with
loving care and instructed by skilled teachers, learned only the
accepting side of life. Giving of course there was in plenty, for
the traditions of Normanstand were royally benevolent; many a
blessing followed the little maid's footsteps as she accompanied some
timely aid to the sick and needy sent from the Squire's house.
Moreover, her Aunt tried to inculcate certain maxims founded on that
noble one that it is more blessed to give than to receive. But of
giving in its true sense: the giving that which we want for
ourselves, the giving that is as a temple built on the rock of self-
sacrifice, she knew nothing. Her sweet and spontaneous nature, which
gave its love and sympathy so readily, was almost a bar to education:
it blinded the eyes that would have otherwise seen any defect that
wanted altering, any evil trait that needed repression, any lagging
virtue that required encouragement--or the spur.



CHAPTER III--HAROLD



Squire Norman had a clerical friend whose rectory of Carstone lay