"Pretty hopeless occupation unless you have something in particular to
think about."

"It's better to have nothing to think about than to be obliged to think
of something unpleasant, isn't it?"

"I don't know," Allison responded, smothering a yawn. "Almost anything
is better than being bored."

"You're not bored, are you?" asked the Colonel, quickly.

"Far from it, but I have my work. I was thinking of you."

"I can work, too," the Colonel replied. "I think as soon as the ground
thaws out, I'll make a garden. A floral catalogue came yesterday and the
pictures are very inspiring."

"Does it give any directions for distinguishing between the flowers and
weeds?"

"No," laughed the Colonel, "but I've thought of trying the ingenious
plan of the man who pulled up the plants and carefully watered the
weeds, expecting the usual contrary results."

Luncheon was announced and they went out together, shivering at the
change in temperature between the library and the dining-room, where
there would be no cheerful open fire until the dinner hour.

"What are you going to do this afternoon?" queried the Colonel.