THE ABDICATION OF THE BOSS There is no need to conceal that I was by this time put to it for matters to think upon not clearly related to myself; in other words for matters extraneous to my neighbor's troublesome daughter.

In sheer self-defence was I driven to look abroad for interests that would suffice without disquieting me.

I was now compelled to admit that there was plainly to be observed in Miss Kate Lansdale something more than a mere winning faith in my powers of self-control.

It was difficult at first to suspect that she actually meant to try me to the breaking point.

The suspicion brought a false note to that harmony of chastened grief wherein, I had divined, she meant to live out her life.