`` Indeed I should ! I 'd feel so grand to have letters from Paris and Rome , and you 'd have so much to tell it would be almost as good as going myself , '' she said , looking off into the daffodil sky , as they paused a minute on the hill-top to get breath , for both had walked as fast as they talked . `` And will you answer the letters ? '' asked Ralph , watching the innocent face , which looked unusually kind and beautiful to him in that soft light . `` Why , yes ; I 'd love to , only I shall not have anything interesting to say . What can I write about ? '' and Merry smiled as she thought how dull her letters would sound after the exciting details his would doubtless give . `` Write about yourself , and all the rest of the people I know . Grandma will be gone , and I shall want to hear how you get on . '' Ralph looked very anxious indeed to hear , and Merry promised she would tell all about the other people , adding , as she turned from the evening peace and loveliness to the house , whence came the clatter of milk-pans and the smell of cooking , -- `` I never should have anything very nice to tell about myself , for I do n't do interesting things as you do , and you would n't care to hear about school , and sewing , and messing round at home . '' Merry gave a disdainful little sniff at the savory perfume of ham which saluted them , and paused with her hand on the gate , as if she found it pleasanter out there than in the house . Ralph seemed to agree with her , for , leaning on the gate , he lingered to say , with real sympathy in his tone and something else in his face , `` Yes , I should ; so you write and tell me all about it . I did n't know you had any worries , for you always seemed like one of the happiest people in the world , with so many to pet and care for you , and plenty of money , and nothing very hard or hateful to do . You 'd think you were well off if you knew as much about poverty and work and never getting what you want , as I do . '' `` You bear your worries so well that nobody knows you have them . I ought not to complain , and I wo n't , for I do have all I need . I 'm so glad you are going to get what you want at last ; '' and Merry held out her hand to say good-night , with so much pleasure in her face that Ralph could not make up his mind to go just yet . `` I shall have to scratch round in a lively way before I do get it , for David says a fellow ca n't live on less than four or five hundred a year , even living as poor artists have to , in garrets and on crusts . I do n't mind as long as Grandma is all right . She is away to-night , or I should not be here , '' he added , as if some excuse was necessary .
Merry needed no hint , for her tender heart was touched by the vision of her friend in a garret , and she suddenly rejoiced that there was ham and eggs for supper , so that he might be well fed once , at least , before he went away to feed on artistic XXXXX .
David Ralph crusts daffodil evening garrets hill-top milk-pans minute year