The Window-Gazer

hat made its nearness more potent. At his usual hour for dictation, Professor Spence had come out upon the narrow veranda. But, although his secreta

she asked, "Or are you

You know what Wilde says, 'Real industry is simp

id not disconcert him. He had discovered that

lish literature. Christian name of Oscar. Y

ared between the se

aren't you?" asked Spence,

ant

settle

he secretary resigned all hope of

nded Spence gent

d if I go, do I-

d be adv

used Desire. "But-do you min

have hardened me

difference. I see that I need not be afraid of-of what I w

d him-self. It would never do to remind

she went on in the tone of an indulgent grand-mother, "but l

d to sigh. It just happened. For

r vague the other night. I understood the main fact, but t

had been tilted negligently

murmured mee

sire gently, "did she

sor was willing to be truthful while he cou

ed in any voice it breathed in hers. It gave

ey were to have been mar

e, she did not live

entarily off guard. "Oh, I see

have been boy and girl together,

id Spence. "B

whom you could naturally inquire? You

eavens, no-c

re naively. "A woman would

wou

n of his tone. "But you see I had to know something. It's all right, I'm sure

hadn't he thought of that? The prof

ied long ago," he said gloomily. "Wh

have asked questions. I won't ask any more-except

na

no escape. Not even Sami was in sight. Only a jeeri

e, you know," added

o tell you her name. But-do you mean her real name or-or-the name s

called by he

r-not a

very slanting. "Any name

f together. "Her name," he sa

ioner was plainly satisfied with the name Mary. P

Mary," said Desire.

ely name in the space of three seconds and a half, but he had als

remember your mother

ild's mind. My most distinct memories are detached, like pictures, without any before or after to explain them. There is one, for instance, about waking up in the woods at night, wrapped in my moth

hid

I do not remember connected incidents very well, I remember her-the feeling of having her with me. And

a long illness?" asked S

st-you will call it silly imagina

imagination witho

mean, that she hadn't gone away. Nothing that w

reality. What seems real at one

no

The sense of nearness left me as I grew up. But at th

g consciousness is only one special type. Around it lie potential forms of consciousness entirely different,

ead 'Dais

the Daisy Miller

possibility of the de

ibilities. But I don't think he c

e thoughtfully. "Experiences like that are so

escribe yo

But after her death we moved about a great deal, never staying very long anywhere, until we came here. There were-experiences." Her eyes hardened. "But, as long as I had that sense I am speaking of, I was safe. I used to have long cryin

e, no woman, to

in my little, dark room one night, and as soon as she could slip away, came in. She was a kindly sort. But when she got there I was quite content and happy-which surprised her much more than

ear, you must come with me! I couldn't-couldn't leave you here. I-oh,

d truly need m

y and

ng of the life I have lived. You must rea

h the proper inflection. It did not sound as business-like as

they passed like lurid shadows. Only one of them seemed a real person. The others were husks. Her name was Lily. She was very stout, her face was red and her voice loud. But there was something real about Lily. And she was fond of children. She liked me. She went out of her lazy way to teach me wisdo

expression of his face gave force and me

ifferent from other gi

why. But I'm glad that you have told me what you have. It explains something that has bot

ed you to see that. It may be holy, but it isn't holy to me. I want to live my life apart from all that.

of a business transaction. But greatly to his annoyance h

ld out a

y you when you ar