No More Learning

"'This is disgraceful,'" said Maisie, mimicking Mrs. Jennett's tone.
"'Maisie, you run in at once, and learn the collect, gospel, and epistle
for the next three Sundays. After all I've taught you, too, and three
helps every Sunday at dinner! Dick's always leading you into mischief.
If you aren't a gentleman, Dick, you might at least. . . '"

The sentence ended abruptly. Maisie remembered when it had last been
used.

"'Try to behave like one,'" said Dick, promptly. "Quite right. Now we'll
get some lunch and go on to Fort Keeling,--unless you'd rather drive
there? "

"We must walk, out of respect to the place. How little changed it all
is!
"

They turned in the direction of the sea through unaltered streets,
and the influence of old things lay upon them. Presently they passed
a confectioner's shop much considered in the days when their joint
pocket-money amounted to a shilling a week.

"Dick, have you any pennies? " said Maisie, half to herself.

"Only three; and if you think you're going to have two of 'em to buy
peppermints with, you're wrong. She says peppermints aren't ladylike. "

Again they laughed, and again the colour came into Maisie's cheeks as
the blood boiled through Dick's heart. After a large lunch they went
down to the beach and to Fort Keeling across the waste, wind-bitten land
that no builder had thought it worth his while to defile. The winter
breeze came in from the sea and sang about their ears.

"Maisie," said Dick, "your nose is getting a crude Prussian blue at the
tip. I'll race you as far as you please for as much as you please. "

She looked round cautiously, and with a laugh set off, swiftly as the
ulster allowed, till she was out of breath.

"We used to run miles," she panted. "It's absurd that we can't run now. "

"Old age, dear. This it is to get fat and sleek in town.