The house will need some fixing up before it 's fit to live in . I just came down tonight to look at it and took a short cut through the woods . I 'm glad I did . It was worth while to see you come tramping down that long white avenue when you thought yourself alone with the silence . I thought I had never seen a child so full of the pure joy of existence . Hold fast to that , little lass , as long as you can . You 'll never find anything to take its place after it goes . You jolly little child ! '' `` I 'm eighteen , '' I said suddenly . I do n't know what made me say it . He laughed and pulled his coat collar up around his ears . `` Never , '' he mocked . `` You 're about twelve ... stay twelve , and always wear red caps and jackets , you vivid thing : Good night . '' He was off across the lake , and I came home . Yes , I do like him , even if he is a man . * * * * * February Twentieth . I 've found out what diaries are for ... to work off blue moods in , moods that come on without any reason whatever and therefore ca n't be confided to any fellow creature . You scribble away for a while ... and then it 's all gone ... and your soul feels clear as crystal once more . I always go to Sidney now in a blue mood that has a real cause . He can cheer me up in five minutes .
But in such a one XXXXX this , which is quite unaccountable , there 's nothing for it but a diary .
about across after as before for if of to without