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wailed like a little child when you have struck it and it does not dare to cry
loud。
A year after； it was early spring again。
The woman sat at her desk writing； behind her the fire burnt brightly。
She was writing a leading article on the causes which in differing peoples
lead to the adoption of Free Trade or Protectionist principles。
The woman wrote on quickly。 After a while the servant entered and
laid a pile of letters on the table。 〃Tell the boy I shall have done in fifteen
minutes。〃 She wrote on。 Then she caught sight of the writing on one of
the letters。 She put down her pen； and opened it。 It ran so：
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Dream Life and Real Life A Little African Story
〃Dear Friend；I am writing to you； because I know you will rejoice to
hear of my great happiness。 Do you remember how you told me that day
by the fire to wait； and after long； long years I should see that all was for
the best？ That time has come sooner than we hoped。 Last week in
Rome I was married to the best； noblest； most large…hearted of men。 We
are now in Florence together。 You don't know how beautiful all life is to
me。 I know now that the old passion was only a girl's foolish dream。
My husband is the first man I have ever truly loved。 He loves me and
understands me as no other man ever could。 I am thankful that my dream
was broken； God had better things in store for me。 I don't hate that
woman any more； I love every one！ How are you； dear？ We shall come
and see you as soon as we arrive in England。 I always think of you so
happy in your great work and helping other people。 I don't think now it
is terrible to be a woman； it is lovely。
〃I hope you are enjoying this beautiful spring weather。
〃Yours； always full of gratitude and love；
〃E。〃
The woman read the letter： then she stood up and walked towards the
fire。 She did not re…read it； but stood with it open in her hand； looking
down into the blaze。 Her lips were drawn in at the corners。 Presently
she tore the letter up slowly； and watched the bits floating down one by
one into the grate。 Then she went back to her desk； and began to write；
with her mouth still drawn in at the corners。 After a while she laid her
arm on the paper and her head on her arm； and seemed to go to sleep there。
Presently the servant knocked； the boy was waiting。 〃Tell him to
wait ten minutes more。〃 She took up her pen〃The Policy of the
Australian Colonies in favour of Protection is easily understood〃 she
waited〃when one considers the factthe fact；〃 then she finished the
article。
Cape Town； South Africa； 1892。
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