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Unit 12: A Lickpenny Lover by O Henry

“Well, there isn’t any,” said Carter, quickly, “except in the minds of foolish people. It is in my Notes
power to give you a life of luxury. My social position is beyond dispute, and my means are
ample.”
“They all say that,” remarked Masie. “It’s the kid they all give you. I suppose you really work in
a delicatessen or follow the races. I ain’t as green as I look.”

“I can furnish you all the proofs you want,” said Carter, gently. “And I want you, Masie. I loved
you the first day I saw you.”
“They all do,” said Masie, with an amused laugh, “to hear ‘em talk. If I could meet a man that got
stuck on me the third time he’d seen me I think I’d get mashed on him.”
“Please don’t say such things,” pleaded Carter. “Listen to me, dear. Ever since I first looked into
your eyes you have been the only woman in the world for me.”
“Oh, ain’t you the kidder!” smiled Masie. “How many other girls did you ever tell that?”
But Carter persisted. And at length he reached the flimsy, fluttering little soul of the shopgirl
that existed somewhere deep down in her lovely bosom. His words penetrated the heart whose
very lightness was its safest armour. She looked up at him with eyes that saw and a warm glow
visited her cool cheeks. Tremblingly, awfully, her moth wings closed, and she seemed about to
settle upon the flower of love. Some faint glimmer of life and its possibilities on the other side
of her glove counter dawned upon her. Carter felt the change and crowded the opportunity.
“Marry me, Masie,” he whispered softly, “and we will go away from this ugly city to beautiful
ones. We will forget work and business, and life will be one long holiday. I know where I should
take you – I have been there often. Just think of a shore where summer is eternal, where the
waves are always rippling on the lovely beach and the people are happy and free as children.
We will sail to those shores and remain there as long as you please. In one of those far-away
cities there are grand and lovely palaces and towers full of beautiful pictures and statues.
The streets of the city are water, and one travels about in – “
“I know,” said Masie, sitting up suddenly. “Gondolas.”
“Yes,” smiled Carter.

“I thought so,” said Masie.
“And then,” continued Carter, “we will travel on and see whatever we wish in the world. After
the European cities we will visit India and the ancient cities there, and ride on elephants and see
the wonderful temples of the Hindus and the Brahmins. And the Japanese gardens and the camel
trains and chariot races in Persia, and all the queer sights of foreign countries. Don’t you think
you would like it, Masie?”
Masie rose to her feet.
“I think we had better be going home,” she said, coolly. “It’s getting late.”

Carter humoured her. He had come to know her varying, thistle-down moods, and that it was
useless to combat them. But he felt a certain happy triumph. He had held for a moment, though
but by a silken thread, the soul of his wild Psyche, and hope was stronger within him. Once she
had folded her wings and her cool hand had closed about his own.
At the Biggest Store the next day Masie’s chum, Lulu, waylaid her in an angle of the counter.

“How are you and your swell friend making it?” she asked.
“Oh, him?” said Masie, patting her side curls. “He ain’t in it any more. Say, Lu, what do you think
that fellow wanted me to do?”

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