some difficulty over it.

"Billy," she spoke, inconsequently, and with averted head, "an honest

man is the noblest work of God--and the rarest."

Billy groaned.

"Do you know," said he, "I've just been telling the roses in the

gardens yonder the same thing about women? I'm a misogynist this

morning. I've decided no woman is worthy of being loved."

"That is quite true," she assented, "but, on the other hand, no man is

worthy of loving."

Billy smiled.