No More Learning

Oh, let go of my wrist; you're hurting me. "

"Isn't there anything left of the thing? "

"N'nothing that looks like anything. I'm sorry--I didn't know you'd take
on about it; I only meant to do it in fun. You aren't going to hit me? "

"Hit you! No! Let's think. "

He did not relax his hold upon her wrist but stood staring at the
carpet.

Then he shook his head as a young steer shakes it when the lash of the
stock-whip cross his nose warns him back to the path on to the shambles
that he would escape. For weeks he had forced himself not to think of
the Melancolia, because she was a part of his dead life. With Bessie's
return and certain new prospects that had developed themselves, the
Melancolia--lovelier in his imagination than she had ever been on
canvas--reappeared. By her aid he might have procured more money
wherewith to amuse Bess and to forget Maisie, as well as another
taste of an almost forgotten success. Now, thanks to a vicious little
housemaid's folly, there was nothing to look for--not even the hope that
he might some day take an abiding interest in the housemaid. Worst of
all, he had been made to appear ridiculous in Maisie's eyes.
A woman
will forgive the man who has ruined her life's work so long as he gives
her love; a man may forgive those who ruin the love of his life, but he
will never forgive the destruction of his work.

"Tck--tck--tck," said Dick between his teeth, and then laughed softly.
"It's an omen, Bessie, and--a good many things considered, it serves me
right for doing what I have done. By Jove! that accounts for Maisie's
running away. She must have thought me perfectly mad--small blame to
her! The whole picture ruined, isn't it so? What made you do it? "

"Because I was that angry. I'm not angry now--I'm awful sorry. "

"I wonder. --It doesn't matter, anyhow. I'm to blame for making the
mistake. "

"What mistake? "

"Something you wouldn't understand, dear. Great heavens!