the end to versification. And now," the lady concluded,
rising, "I have spoken, and I leave you to your fate. I'm
obliged to return to the hotel, to hold a bed of justice. It
appears that my innocent darlings, beyond there, innocent as
they look, have managed among them to break the electric light
in my sitting-room. They're to be arraigned before me at three
for an instruction criminelle. Put what I 've said in your
pipe, and smoke it--'tis a mother's last request. If I 've not
succeeded in determining you, don't pretend, at least, that I
haven't encouraged you a bit. Put what I 've said in your
pipe, and see whether, by vigorous drawing, you can't fan the
smouldering fires of encouragement into a small blaze of
determination."

Peter resumed his stroll backwards and forwards by the
lakeside. Encouragement was all very well; but . . . "Shall I
--shall I not? Shall I--shall I not? Shall I--shall I not?"
The eternal question went tick-tack, tick-tack, to the rhythm of
his march. He glared at vacancy, and tried hard to make up his
mind.

"I'm afraid I must be somewhat lacking in decision of
character," he said, with pathetic wonder.

Then suddenly he stamped his foot.

"Come! An end to this tergiversation. Do it. Do it," cried
his manlier soul.

"I will," he resolved all at once, drawing a deep breath, and