"'I do love you more than words can wield the matter—
Dearer than eyesight, space, and liberty;
Beyond what can be valued, rich or rare?'
'Dearer than eyesight, space, and liberty.' Did they really mean that?"
"They meant more; they meant dearer than life itself!" said Jack, slowly. "Only it was stupid always to say the same thing."
"Well, then, listen to this:
'"Had I no eyes but ears, my ears would love
That inward beauty and invisible;
Or, were I deaf, thy outward parts would move
Each part in me that were but sensible.
Though neither eyes nor ears, to hear nor see,
Yet should I be in love, by touching thee.'
Now, Jack, what can that mean? Was anything more absurd?"
"Read another extract, Christine."
"Here is a passage more difficult than any other:
'"Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind;
And therefore is wing'd Cupid painted blind.
Nor hath Love's mind of any judgment taste;
Wings and no eyes, figure unheedy haste.
And therefore is Love said to be a child,
Because in choice he is so oft beguiled.'
Tell me, if you can, what this means. But perhaps you were never in love. Jack, in the old times."
"Romeo was in love before he met Juliet," said Jack. "I, too, have been reading the old books, you see, Child. I remember—but how can I tell you? I cannot speak like the poet. Yet I remember—I remember," He looked round the room. "It is only here," he murmured, "that one can clearly remember. Here are the very
