In Approval of Women 211

back, I—I poured out the water, Yes, and I
told you another lie. I really came back to
admit that it was all my fault, if I could not get
you to say that it was yours. I am so glad you
gave in first.”

She was very near him, and the tears had not
yet dried on her eyes. They were laughing eyes,
eyes in distress, imploring eyes. Her pale face,
smiling, sad, dimpled, yet entreating forgiveness,
was the one prominent thing in the world to him
just then. He wanted to kiss her. He would
have done it as soon as her eyes rested on his,
but she continued, without regarding him:

“ How mean that sounds! Oh, if I were a
man I should wish to be everything that I am
not, and nothing that I am. I should scorn to
be a liar, ] should choose to be open in all things,
I should try to fight the world honestly. But I
am only a woman, and so — well, that is the kind
of man I should like to marry.”

“A minister may be all these things,” said
Gavin, breathlessly.

“The man I could love,” Babbie went on, not
heeding him, almost forgetting that he was there,
“must not spend his days in idleness as the men
I know do.”

“1 do not.”

“F{e must be brave, no mere worker among
others, but a leader of men.”

“¢ All ministers are.”

«Who makes his influence felt.”

“ Assuredly.”

“ And takes the side of the weak against the
strong, even though the strong be in the right.”