I see in him the witchery of God; and of her prettiness
would I make a song of redemption."
So saying he knelt down before the little tree, while Blink on her
haunches, very quiet beside him, looked wiser than many dogs.
A familiar gurgling sound roused him from his devotions, and turning his
head he saw his young neighbour in the garb of a nurse, standing on
the path behind him. "She has dropped from heaven," he thought for all
nurses are angels.
And, taking off his hat, he said:
"You surprised me at a moment of which I am not ashamed; I was communing
with Beauty. And behold! Aurora is with me."
"Say, rather, Borealis," said the young lady. "I was so fed-up with
hospital that I had to have a scamper before turning in. If you're going
home we might go together?"
"It would, indeed, be a joy," said Mr. Lavender. "The garb of mercy
becomes you."
"Do you think so?" replied the young lady, in whose cheeks a lovely
flush had not deepened. "I call it hideous. Do you always come out and
pray to that tree?"
"I am ashamed to say," returned Mr. Lavender, "that I do not. But I
intend to do so in future, since it has brought me such a vision."
And he looked with such deferential and shining eyes at his companion
that she placed the back of her hand before her mouth, and her breast
rose.
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