kindling attention, it might certainly have appeared as if he had
been making her an offer of marriage; but the thought would have
been momentary, for when the good lady ceased, the young doctor
chimed in heartily:

"Quite right! quite right, I'm sure, Miss Blyth. He'd be absurd to
think of such a thing, you know; the idea of your wasting your time!
That's what I say to fellows; 'How can you waste your time, when
you'll be dead before you know it anyhow, and not have had time to
look about you, much less learn anything?' No, sir,--I beg your
pardon, ma'am! A single life for me. My own time, my own will, and
my own way!"

Miss Phoebe looked at him with very kind eyes.

"Doctor Strong," she said, "I think--it is no light thing for me to
say, holding the convictions I do--but I think you are worthy of
single blessedness!"




CHAPTER III.


GARDEN FANCIES

Miss Vesta was trimming her lamp. That meant, in this early summer
season, that it was after seven o'clock. The little lady stood at
the window in the upper hall. It was a broad window, with a low