Sporting Reflections

           Ihavenowtoldyou(Ipresume)howIbecamewhimsical,andIfearitwouldpleaseMarynotatall.Butspeakingofher,and,asthecat’slightkeepsmeinaruminatingmood,suppose,insteadofreturningMarytoherloverbymeansoftheletter,Ihadpresentedacertainclubmantoherconsideration?CertainlynosuchwhimsicalideacrossedmymindwhenIdroppedtheletter,butbetweenyouandmeandmynight-socks,whichhaveallthistimebeenairingbythefirebecauseIamsubjecttocoldfeet,Ihavesometimestoyedwithitsince.

           WhydidInotthinkofthisintime?WasitbecauseImusteverremaintruetotheunattainableshe?

           Iamremindedofapassageinthelifeofasweetlady,afriendofmine,whosedaughterwasontheeveofmarriage,whensuddenlyherloverdied.Itthenbecamepitifultowatchthattremblingoldfacetryingtopointthewayofcouragetotheyoungone.Intime,however,therecameanotheryouth,astrue,Idaresay,asthefirst,butnotsowellknowntome,andIshruggedmyshoulderscynicallytoseemyoldfriendoncemoreamatchmaker.Shetookhimtoherheartandboastedofhim;likeonemadeyoungherselfbythegreatevent,shejoyouslydressedherpaledaughterinherbridalgown,and,withsmilesuponherface,shecastriceafterthedepartingcarriage.Butsoonafterithadgone,Ichanceduponherinherroom,andshewasonherkneesintearsbeforethespiritofthedeadlover.“Forgiveme,”shebesoughthim,“forIamold,andlifeisgraytofriendlessgirls.”Thepardonshewantedwasforpretendingtoherdaughterthatwomenshouldactthus