Rose had to go with him , her mother being dead , and that was the end of Uncle Dick 's love affair . '' But that was not the end of it , as I discovered when Uncle Dick gave me his confidence . One evening I went over and , piloted by the sound of shrieks and laughter , found Uncle Dick careering about the garden , pursued by half a dozen schoolgirls who were pelting him with overblown roses . At sight of the master my pupils instantly became prim and demure and , gathering up their flowery spoil , they beat a hasty retreat down the lane . `` Those little girls are very sweet , '' said Uncle Dick abruptly . `` Little blossoms of life ! Have you ever wondered , Master , why I have n't some of my own blooming about the old place instead of just looking over the fence of other men 's gardens , coveting their human roses ? '' `` Yes , I have , '' I answered frankly . `` It has been a puzzle to me why you , Uncle Dick , who seem to me fitted above all men I have ever known for love and husbandhood and fatherhood , should have elected to live your life alone . '' `` It has not been a matter of choice , '' said Uncle Dick gently . `` We ca n't always order our lives as we would , Master . I loved a woman once and she loved me . And we love each other still . Do you think I could bear life else ? I 've an interest in it that the Bayside folk know nothing of . It has kept youth in my heart and joy in my soul through long , lonely years . And it 's not ended yet , Master -- it 's not ended yet ! Some day I hope to bring a wife here to my old house -- my wife , my rose of joy ! '' He was silent for a space , gazing at the stars . I too kept silence , fearing to intrude into the holy places of his thought , although I was tingling with interest in this unsuspected outflowering of romance in Uncle Dick 's life .
After a time he said gently , `` Shall I tell you XXXXX it , Master ?
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