"Really?" asked John.
"Of course," she replied, coloring again. Mark Holroyd had looked at her like that; but how different it had been.
"You shall have one of the first copies off the press," said John, in a low voice, "because you were one of the first to encourage me in all this great London. And I shall write that in the book, if you will let me."
Phyllis looked at him earnestly.
"You must never be discouraged," she said slowly. "There will be difficulties, of course, and obstacles, and—and hard places to get over. All the poets I have read about had a hard time at first. But there will be friends to believe in you, many of them, who will wish you success in your profession."
"If I could know there was one, at least," said John, his dark eyes glowing.
Phyllis smiled at him. "There will be many," she repeated.
The Honorable Margaret joined them, having delivered her closing remarks to her class; remarks somewhat pointed on the subject of noses and handkerchiefs, but inclusive of cleanliness and godliness generally.
"Splendid place, isn't it, Phil?" she remarked with enthusiasm. "Did you see the dispensary, and the nursery, and the gymnasium and the laundry, and all around the shop?"
"Yes, I think we saw everything," replied Phyllis. "Mr. Landless has explained it all in the most interesting way."