Arms and the Woman

"Is to explicitly believe all he says regarding your beauty," I

answered, evading the question. "A man may tell a woman that she is

beautiful, but a woman may not tell a man that he is fine-looking, that

is, in public."

"The terms are not fair."

"That may be true, but they make the wheels of the social organization

run smoother. For instance, if I met a strange woman and she told me

that I was handsome, I shouldn't be able to speak again the whole

evening. On the other hand, a beautiful woman, after you say that you

are delighted to meet her, expects the very next remark to concern her

good looks."

"Your insight is truly remarkable," she said, the dimple continuing its

elusive manoeuvres. "Hush; here comes Carmen."

And our voices grew faint in the swell of melody. Mrs. Wentworth was

entranced; her daughter was fondly gazing at the back of her fiance's

head; Phyllis had turned her face from me to the stage. As for myself,

I was not particularly interested in the cigarette girl. It was

running through my head that the hour had arrived. I patted my gloves

for a moment, then I drew a long breath.

"Phyllis!" said I. There was a quaver in my voice. Perhaps I had not

spoken loud enough. "Phyllis!" said I again.

She turned quickly and gave me an inquiring and at the same time

nervous glance.

"What is it?"

"I want to tell you something I have never dared to tell you till now,"

I said earnestly. The voice on the stage soared heavenward. "I love

you. Will you be my wife?"

Ah, me! where were those drooping eyelids, that flush, that shy, sweet

glance of which I had so often dreamt? Phyllis was frowning.

"Jack, I have been afraid of this," she said. "I am so sorry, but it

cannot be."

"Oh, do not say that now," I cried, crushing my gloves. "Wait awhile;

perhaps you may learn to love me."

"Jack, I have always been frank to you because I like you. Do you

suppose it will take me five years to find out what my heart says to

any man? No. Had I loved you I should not have asked you to wait; I

should have said yes. I do not love you in the way you wish. Indeed,

I like you better than any man I know, but that is all I can offer you.

I should be unkind if I held out any false hopes. I have often asked

myself why I do not love you, but there is something lacking in you,

something I cannot define. Some other woman will find what I have

failed to find in you to love."