'I think so. Paris is the only place one can study art, so they say.'

'You'll be away a long while--several months?'

'It wouldn't be much good going if I didn't stop some time, six or
seven months, would it?'

'I suppose not.'

Mildred raised her eyes cautiously and looked at him. His eyes were
averted. He was looking where some ducks were swimming. They came
towards the bank slowly--a drake and two ducks. A third duck paddled
aimlessly about at some little distance. There was a slight mist on
the water.

'If you go to Paris I hope I may write to you. Send me your drawings
to correct. Any advice I can give you is at your service; I shall only
be too pleased.'

'Oh, yes, I hope you will write to me. I shall be so glad to hear from
you. I shall be lonely all that time away from home.'

'And you'll write to me?'

'Of course. And if I write to you, you won't misunderstand?'

Ralph looked up surprised.

'I mean, if I write affectionately you won't misunderstand. It will be