and tell God about it; but then, remembering that He was up in the sky, clasp his two hands together, and look up to Him; and say:
'Dear God, You are a long, long way away from me: right up in the deep, blue sky, farther away than even the sun, perhaps, and the moon and the stars.—But I love You, I love You! because You know everything I think about and everything that I want to do! And I pray that You won't let me die till I am very old and have done all the things I want to do. But please help me to be a great man. Through Jesus Christ our blessed Lord, Amen.'
I threw up my face with my hands behind my head, the sob rising to my lips, the tears to my eyes. 'Oh God, God, why shouldn't I pray to You now? Is there no one to hear me? Is there no one to' Everything in me stood still. She was looking at me through the curtains. I made a sharp stride and opened them. It was Rosy.
What? Rayne!—Rayne! you here!'You startled me,' I said, 'I took you for a ghost.'
'Took me for a—ghost,' she said slowly, advancing slowly, till her eyes were close to mine.
'You called me—Rayne!' she said.
'No;' I said; 'not you—the ghost.'
Fury seemed suddenly to possess her.
'I hate her!' she cried discordantly.
I took her in my arms, in a half-unconscious way that meant quiet.
'Don't be a fool,' I said, 'why did you get up?' She was struggling a little to get free.
I let her go; and, turning, walked away to the hearthrug, and stood collecting my thoughts, I felt her hand touch my arm. I looked aside and down, at her face.
'Don't be un-kind to me,' she said. 'You're not kind to me!'
'Then,' I said unaffectedly; 'I'm sorry.' I turned again, and, putting my hands on her shoulders, looked at her; 'As for that "Don't be a fool," of mine, you mustn't look upon it, or the things I say like it, as unkindness.' The expression of her full, half-dreamy