Rudyard Kipling 63 that would not be broken thought dealers laughed, and fogs delayed work, and Kami was unkind and even sarcastic, and girls in other studios were painfully polite. It had a few bright spots, in pictures accepted at provincial exhibitions, but it wound up with the oft repeated wail, “And so you see, Dick, I had no success, though I worked so hard.” Then pity filled Dick. Even thus had Maisie spoken when she could not hit the breakwater, half an hour before she had kissed him. And that had happened yesterday. “Never mind,” he said. “I'll tell you something, if you ll believe it.” The words were shaping themselves of their own accord. “The whole thing, lock, stock, and barrel, isn’t worth one big yellow sea-poppy below Fort Keeling.” Maisie flushed a little. “It’s all very well for you to talk, but you’ve had the success and I haven’t.” “Let me talk, then. I know you'll understand. Maisie, dear, it sounds a bit absurd, but those ten years never existed, and I’ve come back again. It really is just the same. Can’t you see? You're alone now and I’m alone. What’s the use of worrying? Come to me instead, darling.” Maisie poked the gravel with her parasol. They were sitting on a bench. “I understand,” she said slowly. “But I’ve got my work to do, and I must do it.” “Do it with me, then, dear. I won’t interrupt.” “No, I couldn’t. It’s my work, — mine, — mine, — mine! I’ve been alone all my life in myself, and I’m not going to belong to anybody except myself. I remember things as well as you do, but that doesn’t count. We were babies then, and we didn’t know what was before us. Dick, don’t be selfish. I think I see my way to a little success next year. Don’t take it away from me.” “I beg your pardon, darling. It’s my fault for speak