But compliments are not
breakfast."
Mrs. Muir returned to complete her toilet, and her husband soon
appeared.
"Madge," he said, greeting her kindly, "you have brought about great
changes. How have you accomplished them all in so brief a time?"
"The time has not been so very brief," she replied. "I have been away
over two years, remember. It's all very simple, Henry. I went to work
to get well and to learn something, as you give your mind and time to
business. In the Waylands, my old German professor, and especially
in the magnificent climate I had splendid allies. And you know I
had nothing else to do. One can do a great deal in two years with
sufficient motive and steady effort toward a few points."
"What was your motive, Madge?"
A slow, deep color stole into her face, but she looked unflinchingly
into his eyes as she asked, "Was not the hope of being what I am
to-day, compared with what I was, sufficient motive?"
"Yes," he replied, thoughtfully, "it was; but it appears strange to
me that more girls do not show your sense. Nine-tenths of the pallid
creatures that I see continue half alive through their own fault."
"If they knew the pleasure of being thoroughly alive," said Madge,
"they wouldn't dawdle another hour.
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