All in a garden fair; the simple story of three boys ... - University Library

136
ALL IN A GARDEN FAIR.
' At every step, my child, in the life of a
man, there arc two ways open, a right way and
a wrong way. Allen must be guided into the
rifiht way.'
'Oh, yes, mon pere!' She clapped her
Lands. ' Allen shall be a great ])oet, and I
will do what you please to tell me. This is a
conspiracy that I shall like.'
It had been a long preamble, and she did not
understand why there was so much mysteiy.
' For your part, my child, Allen has arrived
at a time when he must have a confidant and
a companion. I have studied the symptoms.
I am sure tliat he has already begun to try
timidly whether he too cannot put thoughts
into rhyme. I know the blush of his cheek,
the flashing of the eye, tlie outward sign of the
secret thought. Beliold him I I can see him
now
'—he stood as if actually watching the lad,
with his forefmger lifted— 'I .'.ee him alone in
his room at night. The door is locked, the
lamp is lit, tlie desk i> open, tlic paper is before
him, but he writes not ; he hesitates, he is