The Third Violet

e come here for no discernible purpose save to get where they can see people and be displeased at them. They sit in a large group on that porch and take me

e long walks in the clear mountain air are doing you a world of good.' And I keep continually saying, 'Your frankness is so charming!' Because of the great law of universal balance, I know that this illustrious corps will believe good of themselves with exactly the same readiness that they will believe ill of others. So I ply them with it. In consequence, the worst they ever say of me is, 'Isn't that Mr. Hollanden a peculia

a great question: "Say, I wonder where they all are recrui

studied the question, and have nearly established the fact tha

n the winter, you can find barely a sign of them, until

he way," he added, "you haven't got any obvio

consideration, "only ge

s bad. They'll get on to you, sure. Particularly s

friend. "You've got a deuced op

ear so open as your devotion to Miss Fanhall, whic

ght be plain to you, you infernal cat, but that

ail to see it. And it's bad, too. Very bad. What's the

business," r

he admitted finally, "that's true in a general way, bu

assionately, "I tell you it is none of your bu

apped his knee with emphasis. "You certainly have got it-a millio

awker, with a gesture

exclaimed, "suppose she should not go to the picnic to-morrow? She said this morning she did not know

clever!" said Hawker

mber enough to make a brigade of militia. Imagine them swarming around! But then it doesn't matter so much," he went on cheerfully; "you've got a good play there. You must appreciate them to her

l ass, Hollie!" s

r looking into the distance again, he murmured: "I'm worried about that picnic. I w

th it?" cried the painter,

, waving his hand. "You fool!

. "Oh, well, you know, Hollie, this sort of thing--" He br

asked H

dling, gabbling idiot!"

with that violet she dropped at the