"As you put it, it does seem so; but I am pugnacious enough to wish you to see it as practically as I do. Put sentiment aside, and the only sensible thing to be done now is to prepare him for the hard, uncushioned facts of an active life."
"But why must it be so hard for him?"
"Why? In the face of the inevitable, that is a time-wasting, useless question. Life is so; even if we find its underlying cause, the discovery will not alter the fact."
"Yes, it will."
"How?"
"By its enabling us to turn our backs on the hard way and seek a softer."
"You forget that strait-jacket to all inclination, --circumstance."
"And are you not forgetting that friendly hands may help to remove the strait-jacket?"
Her lovely face looked very winning, filled with its kindly meaning.
"Thank you," said he, raising his hat and forgetting to replace it as he spoke; "that is a gentle truth; some day we shall discuss this further.
For the present, use your power in getting Bob upon his feet."
"Yes." She gave a hurried glance at the door behind her, and ran quickly down to the lowest step. "Dr. Kemp," said she, a little breathlessly, "I have wished for some time to ask you to let me know when you have any cases that require assistance outside of a physician's, --such as my father or I might lend. You must have a broad field for such opportunities. Will you think of me then, please?"
"I will," he replied, looking with amused pleasure at her flushed face.
"Going in for philanthropy, Miss Levice?"
"No; going out for it, thank you;" and she put her hand into his outstretched one. She watched him step into his carriage; he turned and raised his hat again, --a trifling circumstance that Ruth dwelt upon with pleasure; a second glance always presupposes an interested first.
He did not fail to keep his promise; and once on the lookout for "cases" herself, Ruth soon found enough irons in the fire to occupy her spare moments.
Mrs. Levice, however, insisted upon her resuming her place in society.
"A young girl must not withdraw herself from her sphere, or people will either consider her eccentric or will forget her entirely. Don't be unreasonable, Ruth; there is no reason why you should not enjoy every function in our circle, and Louis is always happy to take you. When he asked you if you would go with him to the Art Exhibition on Friday night, I heard you say you did not know. Now why?"
"Oh, that?" I never gave it a second's thought. I promised Father to go with him in the afternoon; I did not consider it worth an explanation."
"But, you see, I did. It looks very queer for Louis to be travelling around by himself; couldn't you go again in the evening with him?"
"Of course, you over-thoughtful aunt. If the pictures are good, a second visit will not be thrown away, --that is, if Louis is really anxious for my companionship. But, 'I doubt it, I doubt it, I do.'"
"What nonsense!" returned her mother, somewhat testily. "Why shouldn't he be? You are always amiable together, are you not?"
"Well," she said, knitting her brows and pursing her lips drolly, "that, methinks, depends on the limits and requirements of amiability. If disputation showeth a friendly spirit, then is my lord overfriendly; for it oft hath seemed of late to pleasure his mood to wax disputations, though, in sooth, lady fair, I have always maintained a wary and decorous demeanor."
"I can imagine," laughed her mother, a little anxiously; "then you will go?"
"Why not?"
If Arnold really cared for the outcome of such manoeuvres, Mrs. Levice's exertions bore some fruit.
