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who heard and reported some fragments of a conversation which
reached his ear。 Nothing but the profound intimacy which exists
between myself and the individual reader whose eyes are on this page
would induce me to reveal what I was told of this conversation。 The
first words seem to have been in reply to some question。
〃Why； my dear friend； how can you think of such a thing？ Do you
knowI amold enough to be your＇I think she must have been on the
point of saying mother； but that was more than any woman could be
expected to say＇old enough to be your aunt？〃
〃To be sure you are；〃 answered the Tutor； 〃and what of it？ I have
two aunts； both younger than I am。 Your years may be more than mine；
but your life is fuller of youthful vitality than mine is。 I never
feel so young as when I have been with you。 I don't believe in
settling affinities by the almanac。 You know what I have told you
more than once； you have n't 'bared the ice…cold dagger's edge' upon
me yet； may I not cherish the〃。。。。
What a pity that the listener did not hear the rest of the sentence
and the reply to it； if there was one！ The readings went on the same
as before； but I thought that Number Five was rather more silent and
more pensive than she had been。
I was much pleased when the American Annex came to me one day and
told me that she and the English Annex were meditating an expedition；
in which they wanted the other Teacups to join。 About a dozen miles
from us is an educational institution of the higher grade； where a
large number of young ladies are trained in literature； art； and
science； very much as their brothers are trained in the colleges。
Our two young ladies have already been through courses of this kind
in different schools； and are now busy with those more advanced
studies which are ventured upon by only a limited number of
〃graduates。〃 They have heard a good deal about this institution； but
have never visited it。
Every year； as the successive classes finish their course； there is a
grand reunion of the former students； with an 〃exhibition；〃 as it is
called； in which the graduates of the year have an opportunity of
showing their proficiency in the various branches taught。 On that
occasion prizes are awarded for excellence in different departments。
It would be hard to find a more interesting ceremony。 These girls；
now recognized as young ladies； are going forth as missionaries of
civilization among our busy people。 They are many of them to be
teachers； and those who have seen what opportunities they have to
learn will understand their fitness for that exalted office。 Many
are to be the wives and mothers of the generation next coming upon
the stage。 Young and beautiful； 〃youth is always beautiful；〃 said
old Samuel Rogers；their countenances radiant with developed
intelligence； their complexions； their figures； their movements； all
showing that they have had plenty of outdoor as well as indoor
exercise； and have lived well in all respects； one would like to read
on the wall of the hall where they are assembled；
Siste； viator！
Si uxorem requiris； circumspice！
This proposed expedition was a great event in our comparatively quiet
circle。 The Mistress； who was interested in the school； undertook to
be the matron of the party。 The young Doctor； who knew the roads
better than any of us； was to be our pilot。 He arranged it so that
he should have the two Annexes under his more immediate charge。 We
were all on the lookout to see which of the two was to be the favored
one； for it was pretty well settled among The Teacups that a wife he
must have； whether the bald spot came or not； he was getting into
business； and he could not achieve a complete success as a bachelor。
Number Five and the Tutor seemed to come together as a matter of
course。 I confess that I could not help regretting that our pretty
Delilah was not to be one of the party。 She always looked so young；
so fresh；she would have enjoyed the excursion so much； that if she
had been still with us I would have told the Mistress that she must
put on her best dress； and if she had n't one nice enough； I would
give her one myself。 I thought； too； that our young Doctor would
have liked to have her with us； but he appeared to be getting along
very well with the Annexes； one of whom it seems likely that he will
annex to himself and his fortunes； if she fancies him； which is not
improbable。
The organizing of this expedition was naturally a cause of great
excitement among The Teacups。 The party had to be arranged in such a
way as to suit all concerned； which was a delicate matter。 It was
finally managed in this way： The Mistress was to go with a bodyguard；
consisting of myself； the Professor； and Number Seven； who was good
company； with all his oddities。 The young Doctor was to take the two
Annexes in a wagon； and the Tutor was to drive Number Five in a good
old…fashioned chaise drawn by a well…conducted family horse。 As for
the Musician； he had gone over early； by special invitation； to take
a part in certain musical exercises which were to have a place in the
exhibition。 This arrangement appeared to be in every respect
satisfactory。 The Doctor was in high spirits； apparently delighted；
and devoting himself with great gallantry to his two fair companions。
The only question which intruded itself was； whether he might not
have preferred the company of one to that of two。 But both looked
very attractive in their best dresses： the English Annex； the rosier
and heartier of the two； the American girl； more delicate in
features； more mobile and excitable； but suggesting the thought that
she would tire out before the other。 Which of these did he most
favor？ It was hard to say。 He seemed to look most at the English
girl； and yet he talked more with the American girl。 In short； he
behaved particularly well； and neither of the young ladies could
complain that she was not attended to。 As to the Tutor and Number
Five； their going together caused no special comment。 Their intimacy
was accepted as an established fact； and nothing but the difference
in their ages prevented the conclusion that it was love； and not mere
friendship； which brought them together。 There was； no doubt； a
strong feeling among many people that Number Five's affections were a
kind of Gibraltar or Ehrenbreitstein； say rather a high table…land in
the region of perpetual； unmelting snow。 It was hard for these
people to believe that any man of mortal mould could find a foothold
in that impregnable fortress；could climb to that height and find
the flower of love among its glaciers。 The Tutor and Number Five
were both quiet； thoughtful： he； evidently captivated； she； what was
the meaning of her manner to him？ Say that she seemed fond of him；
as she might be were he her nephew；one for whom she had a special
liking。 If she had a warmer feeling than this； she could