No More Learning

I hear
you are unoccupied just now. I am engaged to be
married, as you know; it will be a long engagement.
You will like my betrothed. I hope you will be great
friends.

'"Yours expectantly,
'"JOHN SHERMAN. "'

'You rather take me aback,' she said.

'I really like him,' he answered. 'You were always prejudiced against
the Howards. Forgive me, but I really want very much to have him here. '

'Well, if you like him, I suppose I have no objection. '

'I do like him. He is very clever,' said her son, 'and knows a great
deal. I wonder he does not marry. Do you not think he would make a good
husband? --for you must admit he is sympathetic.
'

'It is not difficult to sympathize with everyone if you have no true
principles and convictions. '

Principles and convictions were her names for that strenuous
consistency attained without trouble by men and women of few ideas.

'I am sure you will like him better,' said the other, 'when you see
more of him. '

'Is that photograph quite spoilt? ' she answered.

'No; there was nothing on it but ashes. '

'That is a pity, for one less would be something. '

After this they both became silent, she knitting, he gazing at the cows
browsing at the edge of their stream, and trying to fit squares into
their bodies; but now a smile played about his lips.

Mrs. Sherman looked a little troubled. She would not object to any
visitor of her son's, but quite made up her mind in no manner to put
herself out to entertain the Rev. William Howard. She was puzzled as
well. She did not understand the suddenness of this invitation. They
usually talked over things for weeks.


II

Next day his fellow-clerks noticed a decided improvement in Sherman's
spirits.