The Argosy — page 58: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

My Saturdays. 45 any rate, the Professor got the work, and did it well and rapidly. His name was now known in connection with the subject, and he ventured to take up once more the great book itself. Being by this time well accustomed to cutting and fitting, he reduced it to reason- able dimensions without (I believe) unbearable pangs; and it actually made its appearance. He did not make much by it, I think; but it got some good reviews, had a fair sale, and brought him in some- thing. He and Rhoda cared little about the money; they were perfectly happy to see it in print, and know that it was read. All this literary work extended Professor Lingard’s connections, and increased his acquaintances; so that he did not become a monomaniac about Cyprus, but took up other subjects, and did other classes of work. He never relapsed into his old, dispirited condition ; and though he did not accomplish anything very great, or reach any extended fame, he became in his quiet way a distinguished man, who never undertook what he could not do, did well whatever he under- took, and was highly thought of in a small circle. ‘* Rhoda bloomed out into redoubled beauty, and for the first time I saw what she was like when not under a cloud. I did not wonder at the Professor’s having fallen helplessly in love with her. He is more in love with her than ever now, I think ; especially since, having got the Magnum Opus off her mind, she has had time to turn her attention to perpetuating the name of Lingard in other ways. He spends half his time in contemplating the Result in its cradle, and writing poetry about it; but when out of that safe retreat, he is desperately afraid of it. Archibald is Baby’s godfather, and is always a welcome guest at Cyprus Lawn. Iam godmother, and am curiously fond of the queer little atom ; but I make my visits when the Professor is likely to be safe in his study. For, although he is always studiously polite to me, our friendship has cooled since that memorable Saturday in July. I know that the sight of me reminds him of the one episode in his life of which he is bitterly ashamed, and which he would forget if he could. I can easily forgive him, and was not surprised that he did not care that summer to come to any more of my Saturdays. But he always sent his wife, when he could induce her to leave him, especially when Archibald was to be there. : VERA SINGLETON, ECORnnicloooks (GO