I was a tiny fellow in pinafores when this happened, but having once pledged my word, I kept it faithfully through all the studious years that lay between six and sixteen.
At sixteen an immense crisis occurred in my life.

I fell in love.

I had been in love several times before--chiefly with the elder pupils at the Miss Andrews' establishment; and once (but that was when I was very young indeed) with the cook.

This, however, was a much more romantic and desperate affair.

The lady was a Columbine by profession, and as beautiful as an angel.