"Phil," exclaimed Grace, "'twould be a sin to hurry that meal East, until--until we hear further from Caleb." "And from Miss Truett?" said Philip, with a quizzical grin. "Fortunately for both of them, the meal probably reached New York soon after the date of this letter, which was written four days ago, and Caleb is probably now on the ocean, or about to sail." "I think 'tis real cruel," Grace sighed, "just as--" "Just as two mature people began daydreaming about each other? I think 'tis the best that could befall them, for it will put their sentiment to a practical test. Cupid has struck greater obstacles than the Atlantic Ocean and barrelled corn-meal without breaking his wings." "Phil, you talk as coldly as if--oh, as if you weren't my husband." "'Tis because I am your husband, dear girl, and realize what miserable wretches we would be if we weren't, above all else, hearty lovers. What else have I to live for, out here, but you? Suppose any other woman were my wife, brought from everything she was accustomed to, and out to this place where she could find absolutely nothing as a substitute for the past!" "Or suppose I had married some other man--ugh!--and come here!" "You would have done just as you have done--seen your duty, done it, and smiled even if you were dying of loneliness. But not all women are like you." "Because not all men are like you, bless you!--and always ready and eager to make love first and foremost." "How can I help it, when I've you to love? But tell me now,--frankly,--don't you ever long for the past? Don't you get absolutely, savagely, heart-hungry for it?" "No--no--!" Grace exclaimed. "Besides, I'm easier pleased and interested than you think. I've learned to like some of our people very much, since I've ceased judging them by their clothes and manner of speech. There are some real jewels among the women, old and young." "H'm! I'm glad to hear you say so, for I've wanted to confess, for some time, that I am fast becoming countrified, and without any sense of shame, either. I'm becoming so deeply interested in human nature that I've little thought for anything else, aside from business. When I first arrived, I imagined myself a superior being, from another sphere; now that I know much about the people and their burdens and struggles, there are some men and women to whom I mentally raise my hat. At first I wondered why Taggess, who really is head and shoulders above every one else here, didn't procure a substitute and abandon the town; now I can believe that nothing could drag him away. I can't learn that he ever wrote verses or made pictures or preached sermons, nevertheless he's artist, poet, and prophet all in one. I should like to become his equal, or Caleb's equal--I may as well say both, while I'm wishing; still, I don't like to lose what I used to have and be."