"Well, but that isn't what lies on her mind. You will be a thought-reader, indeed, Dick, if you can read what is written there." They walked on together, side by side, in silence. Then the figure of the pale, fragile, sad woman went out of their thoughts. They returned, as is the way with youth, to themselves. "You are happy, Molly?" he asked. "I am happy enough," she sighed. "Most of us are. We make ourselves as happy as we can. Of course, nobody is entirely happy till he gets all he wants. For my own part, I want very little; and I am very nearly quite happy, because I've got it all except one thing, Molly." "Hadn't we better talk about the wisdom acquired on tramp?" "That is just what I am doing, my dear child. To-night the stars are out, the skies are clear, the air is fresh. I smell the fragrant earth across the park. I can almost believe that we are miles and miles from a town. And I want to have a real talk with you, Molly." "Will you let me talk first?" "Certainly, if you won't abuse the privilege. But leave time for me to answer. We mustn't throw away such a chance as this." "I know what you want to say very well. I don't ask you to put it out of your head, because---- Oh, Dick, you know very well that I like you ever so much! You are the only kind of brother I ever had." "By your leave, Molly, you never had any brother. You might have had the kindness to call me pal, or cousin, or comrade, or companion, or confidential clerk, even--but not any kind of brother. That relationship doesn't exist for you. I might as well call myself the child of that good lady, being only a kind of posthumous stepson. Now, Molly, you may go on." "I only mean so that I can tell everything to you." "That is permitted. Now I shall not interrupt." "Very well. First of all, Hilarie is anxious about my appearance. So am I. She remains firm in the belief that I am the tragedian of the future." Dick shook his head. "Vain hopes! Fond dreams!" "You know, don't you, Dick, that it is impossible?" "Comedy, light and sparkling, if you please, Molly. As soon as your name is made, I shall write a part for you on purpose. You shall take the town by storm--you yourself, as you are, witch and enchantress." "Which makes it the more unfortunate that I'm compelled to go in for the other business." "What about advertising 'Lady Macbeth,' and getting ready a burlesque?" Molly took no notice of this suggestion. "Hilarie thinks the time is now approaching when I ought to make my _début_. Dick, I declare that I don't care one farthing about disappointed ambition. I told you so before. But I do care about disappointing Hilarie. And that weighs on my soul more than anything almost--more than the two other things." "What are the two other things?" "I am coming to them. Either of them, you see, would bring consolation--of sorts--for disappointed ambition. First, your cousin, Sir Humphrey----" "Oh! He goes on making love, does he?"