Poor Mamma ! I 'm always troubling her in some way or other . '' With a penitent sigh , Lillian tied up her flowers and handed them to Paul to carry . As she did so , the change in his face struck her . `` How grim and old you look , '' she exclaimed . `` Have I said anything that troubles you ? '' `` No , Miss Lillian . I 'm only thinking . '' `` Then I wish you would n't think , for you get a great wrinkle in your forehead , your eyes grow almost black , and your mouth looks fierce . You are a very odd person , Paul ; one minute as gay as any boy , and the next as grave and stern as a man with a deal of work to do . '' `` I have got a deal of work to do , so no wonder I look old and grim . '' `` What work , Paul ? '' `` To make my fortune and win my lady . '' When Paul spoke in that tone and wore that look , Lillian felt as if they had changed places , and he was the master and she the servant . She wondered over this in her childish mind , but proud and willful as she was , she liked it , and obeyed him with unusual meekness when he suggested that it was time to return . As he rode silently beside her , she stole covert glances at him from under her wide hat brim , and studied his unconscious face as she had never done before . His lips moved now and then but uttered no audible sound , his black brows were knit , and once his hand went to his breast as if he thought of the little sweetheart whose picture lay there . He 's got a trouble . I wish he 'd tell me and let me help him if I can . I 'll make him show me that miniature someday , for I 'm interested in that girl , thought Lillian with a pensive sigh .
As he held his hand for her little foot in dismounting her at the hall door , XXXXX seemed to have shaken off his grave mood , for he looked up and smiled at her with his blithest expression .
Lillian Paul flowers girl glances lips meekness mind minute sigh