The Girl Behind The Mask

lled along the sunny terrace, enjoying the song with the relish of an expert. Others followed, and still he walked and listened, forgetful of weariness or tune. As one exquisite a

m. For an hour he loitered on the terrace or the lawn, basking in the sunshine, too indolent to seek occupation

dawdling here all this time?"

me and tell me how you've go

n after my French, so that I might be

e your bored brother, who has had no one

for, in spite of his indolence, he was one to

ing your poor little brains with

didn't bore me with stupid grammar, but just talked to me in such pretty French that I g

d you ta

he asked questions, and I an

out our affai

d her about Papa's sudden death, Uncle Brandon, and you, and Oliver; but in the midst of it she said, in her quiet way, 'You are ge

alking of when s

ou

o wonder sh

said; for she was busy sketching something for me to copy, an

o you

her face. Did you li

e angry when

and shut the piano at once, though I begge

y don't you call

lone. I've imagined such a nice little romance story about her, and

Marie's well-bred example and don't be curious about othe

my bedroom, which is to be our study now. Mamma will stay in her

What will

m his commission. He is so impatient to be doing something and yet so proud he wo

worry me, child. He will do very wel

he is a man, and it troubles him. He said he'd take matters into his own hands soon, and then you may be sorry you were s

d of her already. You'll get as brown as Oliver, lying here in the sun. B

aste and quite

in a man. She does express things so nicely. Now I'm off." And aw

, but how the heck can a man be energetic, with nothing to expe