k　I'd　like　them。　I'd　probably　like　them　very　much。〃

〃Let's　not　talk　about　them　or　I'll　start　to　worry　about　them。〃　After　a　while　I　said；　〃Let's　go　on　if　you're　rested。〃

〃I'm　rested。〃

We　went　on　down　the　road。　It　was　dark　now　and　the　snow　squeaked　under　our　boots。　The　night　was　dry　and　cold　and　very　clear。

〃I　love　your　beard；〃　Catherine　said。　〃It's　a　great　success。　It　looks　so　stiff　and　fierce　and　it's　very　soft　and　a　great　pleasure。〃

〃Do　you　like　it　better　than　without？〃

〃I　think　so。　You　know；　darling；　I'm　not　going　to　cut　my　hair　now　until　after　young　Catherine's　born。　I　look　too　big　and　matronly　now。　But　after　she's　born　and　I'm　thin　again　I'm　going　to　cut　it　and　then　I'll　be　a　fine　new　and　different　girl　for　you。　We'll　go　together　and　get　it　cut；　or　I'll　go　alone　and　e　and　surprise　you。〃

I　did　not　say　anything。

〃You　won't　say　I　can't；　will　you？〃

〃No。　I　think　it　would　be　exciting。〃

〃Oh；　you're　so　sweet。　And　maybe　I'd　look　lovely；　darling；　and　be　so　thin　and　exciting　to　you　and　you'll　fall　in　love　with　me　all　over　again。〃

〃Hell；〃　I　said；　〃I　love　you　enough　now。　What　do　you　want　to　do？　Ruin　me？〃

〃Yes。　I　want　to　ruin　you。〃

〃Good；〃　I　said；　〃that's　what　I　want　too。〃

40

We　had　a　fine　life。　We　li