"Do you mean---- ?" "Yes, I mean that," his friend answered quietly.

"Nice sort of old fool, am I not?
I'm twelve years older than she is, I'm only moderately well off and less than moderately good-looking.

But after all I'm only human, and I've seen her grow up from a fresh, charming child into one of God's wonderful women.

Even a gardener, you know, George, loves the roses he has planted and watched over.

I've taught her a little and helped her a little, and I've watched her cross the borderland." "Does she know ?" Andrew shook his head doubtfully.
"I think," he said, "that she was beginning to guess.