He did not die, but he was
so sweet that everybody wanted to bite him. That is short and sweet; and
what is the moral?"
"Selfishness brings misery," answered Ruth, promptly; "clever of both of
us, but what is the analogy? Louis, you look lonesome over there. I feel
as if I were masquerading; come nearer the footlights."
"And get scorched for my pains? Thanks; this is very comfortable.
Distance adds to illusion."
"You don't mean to admit you have any illusions, do you? Why, those
glasses of yours could see through a rhinoceros, I verily believe. Did you
ever see anything you did not consider a delusion and a snare?"
"Yes; there is a standing institution of whose honest value there is no
doubt."
"And that is?"
"My bed."
"After all, it is a lying institution, my friend; and are you not deposing
your masculine muse, --your cigar? Oh, that reminds me of the annual
peace-pipe."
She jumped up, snatched a candle, and left the room. As she turned toward
the staircase she was arrested by the ringing of the doorbell. She stood
quite still, holding the lighted candle while the maid opened the door.
"Is Miss Levice in?" asked the voice that made the little candle-light seem
like myriads of swimming stars. As the maid answered in the affirmative,
she came mechanically forward and met the bright-glancing eyes of Dr.
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