the clammer and the submarine

8/2/2019 The Clammer and the Submarine

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Title:TheClammerandtheSubmarine

Author:WilliamJohnHopkins

ReleaseDate:April15,2012[EBook#39456]

Language:English

***STARTOFTHISPROJECTGUTENBERGEBOOKTHECLAMMERANDTHESUBMARINE***

ProducedbyBruceAlbrecht,MartinPettitandtheOnlineDistributedProofreadingTeamathttp://www.pgdp.net

ByWilliamJohnHopkins

THECLAMMERANDTHESUBMARINE.THOSEGILLESPIES.Illustrated.BURBURYSTOKE.CONCERNINGSALLY.

THEMEDDLINGSOFEVE.OLDHARBOR.THECLAMMER.

_JUVENILE_

THEDOERS.Illustrated.THEINDIANBOOK.Illustrated.

HOUGHTONMIFFLINCOMPANYBOSTONANDNEWYORK

THECLAMMERANDTHESUBMARINE

BY

WILLIAMJOHNHOPKINS



[Illustration]

BOSTONANDNEWYORKHOUGHTONMIFFLINCOMPANYTheRiversidePressCambridge1917

COPYRIGHT,1917,BYWILLIAMJOHNHOPKINSALLRIGHTSRESERVED

_PublishedSeptember1917_

THECLAMMERANDTHESUBMARINE

I

Downundermygreatpineisapleasantplace--eveninApril,ifitisbutwarmenough,andifthesunisshining,andifthereisnogreatwind,andifwhatwindthereiscomesfromthesouthwest.Itisnotsopleasant--Iknowmanypleasanter--ifthewindisfromthenorthwest,howlingandshriekingasitdoesofteninthewinter,pickingupthefinesnowandwhirlingitback,leavingthetopofmybluffascleanasthoughithadbeenswept.Suchawindroarsthroughtheancientbranchesofthepine,andtwiststhem,andtearsatthemasifitwouldtearthemoff.Mypinestandssentinel-likeonthetopofthebluff,somedistancefromtheedge,anditsbrancheshavewithstoodthewindsofmanywinters.Itsagemustbemeasuredincenturies,foritisanoblegreattree;andintimeslongpastitmusthavehadfellowsstandingclose.Itisaforesttree,anditsgreattrunkrisestwentyfeet

withoutabranch.Butitsfellowsaregone,leavingnomemory,andtheancientpinenowstandsalone.

Fromthebenchbuiltagainstthetrunkonecanseemanythings:theharbor,andtheoppositeshore,androllingcountrybeyond,anddistanthills,andonehillinparticularwithatreeuponitlikeacross,whichstandsout,atcertainseasons,rightagainstthediscofthesettingsun.Onecansee,too,thewatersofthebaybeyondtheharbor,andcertainclambedsjustatthepoint,andacertainwaterfront;andotherthingsintheirseason.OldGoodwin'spalaceonthehillisnotvisible,exceptforaglimpseofredroofsabovethetopsofthetrees.ThereisoneotherthingwhichIalmostforgottomention,andthatisaholescoopedinthegroundjustwithouttheshadowofthepine,and

linedwithgreatstones.Thatstone-linedholehasitsuses,butthetimeforthemisnotyet.

Iwassittingontheseatundermyoldpine,gazingoutbutseeingnothingofwhatlaybeforemyeyes.Andthatwasstrange,too,fortheharborbeforemewassmilingunderawarmspringsun,andthehillsbeyondwerebathedinthebluemistofsummer.Indeed,itseemedlikesummer.Therewillbecoldweatherinplenty,withskiesgrayandwet.ThereisalwaysmorethanenoughofsuchweatherinthefirsthalfofMay,butthatdayseemedlikesummer.Ihadhadhardworktorealize



thatitwasApriluntilIlookedaboutmeandsawthegrassjustgreeninginthemoistandshelteredspots,andthetreesspreadingtheirbarearmsabroad.Thebudswerejustswelling,someofthemshowingafaintpalegreenorpinkattheirtips.Andmygardenwasnothingbutfreshlyturnedbrownearth,notaspearofgreen.

Ihaveputinmyearlypeas,butnotverylongago.Theyshouldbepokingthrough,anymorningnow.AndIplantedsomecornyesterday.Itmaygetnippedbyfrost,butIhopenot.WhatwouldthePresidentthink,whenhefoundthatIhadletmycorngetnippedbyfrost?Imeantodomyshare--inthegarden.ThatisnottheonlyreasonwhyIhopemycornwillnotgetnipped.Itisnotlikely,forwedonotoftenhavefrostheresolate.ItismuchmorelikelythatitwillbestuntedbythecoldinMay.Butwhatifitdoesnotsucceed?Itwillonlymeanmyplantingthosetworowsoveragain,andifitescapesIshallbejustthatmuchaheadoftheotherswhodidnottakethechance.Inolongerplantmycorninhills.Hillshavegoneout.Cornisplantedindrillsnow.

Ievenputintworowsofmelonsyesterday,butIamnottellingmyneighborsaboutit.TheywouldbeamusedatmyplantingmelonsinApril.Judsonwouldnothavebeenamused.Judsonwasafineoldmanwithanopenmind,andhewouldhavebeeninterestedtoseehowtheexperimentwithmelonssucceeded.IshouldhavetoldJudsonallaboutit,--hemighthavehelpedmeplant,--butJudsonisdead,andsoisMrs.

Judson.ItisalossforEveandme,forayoungermanlivesinJudson'shousenow,ayoungermanwhoisnotsofine;andhehasawifeandasmallgirl--whopeltsmewithunripepearswhenIventurenearthewall--andhehasatalkingmachinewhichsitsintheopenwindowandreciteshumorousbitsinaraucousvoicetothewideworld.Thegirl--sheisnotsoverysmall,probablytenoreleven--wouldhavedifficultyinpeltingmewithpearsnow,butshemightusepebblesinstead.Sheisaprettyfairshot;andthetalkingmachineisnotdependentuponseason.Theyhadthewindowopenatthatmoment,andIfoundmyselflisteningfortheraucousvoice,whileIthoughtofseedpotatoes--atfourdollarsabushel,andscarceatthat.

Sothesunshoneinunderthebranchesofthepine,andIbaskedinits

warmth,andIgazedoutandsawnothingofwhatlaybeforemyeyes,andIthoughtmythoughts.Theycameinnoparticularorder,butasthoughtsdocome,atrandom:theseason,andpeasandcornandmelonsandJudsonandhissuccessorandthegirlandthetalkingmachineandpearsandpotatoes.IsupposeIshouldnotspeakofsuchrumblingsofgraymatterasthoughts,forthoughts,wearetold,shouldcomeinorder,andshouldbealwaysunderthecontrolofthethinker.Minearenotalwaysundermycontrol,andtheyseldomcomeinorder.Imightaswellsaythattheyareneverundermycontrol,butarecontrolledbyinterestofonesortoranother.Imakenoclaimtoefficiency.Efficiencyisaqualityofamachine,asItakeit.Whenourbrainsbecomemachines,why,Heavenhelpus!Butwhatevermythoughtswere,whetherofmyplantingormyneighbor'stalkingmachine,theyrevolvedaroundoneidea,andalways

camebacktothepointtheystartedfrom,whichsufficientlyaccountsforthefactthatIwaslookingattheharborandnotseeingit.

War.Thatwasthecentralidea.Weareatwar.Ilookedoutuponthepeaceful,smilingwaterandthepeaceful,smilingcountrybeyond,andthetreelikeacrossuponitsdistanthill,andIlaughed.Iconfessit:Whathadwartodowiththat,orwithme,orwithmine?Icouldnotrealizeit.Warmeansnothingtome.Itmeansnothingtomanypeopleoverhere,Ibelieve,butflagsflying,andparades,andbrassbands,andshouting.IfwewereinFrancenow--butIamthankfulthatweare



notinFrance,andthattherearetwothousandandoddmilesofwaterbetween.

Asforsubmarines--submarinesinthatharbor,wheretheycouldnotturnaroundwithoutgettingstuckinthemud!Orinthebay,wherethereisnonetoomuchwatereither,andledgesandrocksscatteredaroundimpartiallyandconvenientlyhereandthere!Iknowthemwell:oneledgeinparticularwhichhasbutonefootofwateronitatlowtide.Andwithasearunning--well,Icouldleadasubmarineaprettychase.Iwouldifthesubmarinewasboundforthisharbor.Itmightchoosetogetstuckinthemudandsandofmyclambeds,whichwouldmakethemunproductiveforyears.EvenasacivilianIwilldefendmyown.

Well,weshallsee;butIcannotbelievethatthematterconcernsusverynearly.AndIsighedsoftly,andsmiled,andagainIlookedattheharbor,andIsawit;sawitwiththewarmspringsunonitsquietwater,andthewoodedhillsbeyondbathedinabluehaze.AndIheardasoftfootstepbehindme,andtherecamefromabovemyheadalowrippleoflaughter,andmyheadwasheldbetweentwosofthandsandakisswasdroppedonthetopofit.AndEveslippeddownonthebenchbesideme.

"Whydoyousigh?"sheasked."Whatwereyouthinkingof,Adam?"

"War,"Isaid,andshesoberedquickly.Eveseemstohavepacifist

leanings.Ismiledathertocomforther."Iwasthinkingthatifasubmarineshouldcomeintothisharbor,itmighthappentogetstuckinmyclambeds,anditwouldstirthemallup,andwouldbebadfortheclams.IamafraidIshouldhavetotakeahandthen.Doyousupposeyourfatherwouldobjecttomymountingagunonthepoint?--say,justunderthattreewherehekeepshisrubberboots?"

Shelaughed,whichwaswhatIwanted.Eveislovelywhenshelaughs--sheislovelyalways,aslovelyasshewaswhenIfirstsawher.Andthewarmspringsun,shininginunderthebranchesofthepine,shoneuponherhair,anditwasredandgold;asredandasshininggoldasiteverwas--orsoitseemedtome.

"Myfatherwouldprobablyhelpyoumountthegun,"shesaid."ShallIaskhim?"

"Iwillaskhim.Butyourhair,Eve,--"

"Oh,myhair,stupid,isturningdark.Everybodyseesitbutyou.ButIdon'tcare,andIloveyouforit.Andyoumustlookoutnow,forI'mgoingtokissyou."Sheseizedmeabouttheneckasshespoke,andshedidasshehadsaidshewould."There!"shesaid,laughing."Didanybodysee?Lookallabout,Adam.Themischief'sdone.Asifawomancouldn'tkissherhusbandwhenshewantedto!Now,I'mgoingtorumpleyourhair."

Sheproceededtothebusinessinhandthoroughly.

"Eve,"Icriedbetweenrumplings,"therearelawsinthisState--Idon'tbelievetheyhavebeenrepealed--whichforbidawoman'skissingherhusbandwhenevershewantsto.Itcan'tbedone.And--"

"Itcan'tbedone?Oh,yes,itcan."Shedidit."Now,canit?Say--quickly."

"Yes,yes,itcan,Eve.Iacknowledgeit.Butthesubmarine.You



interruptedme.Ihadnotfinished."

"Well,"sheasked,subsidinguponthebenchandsmilingupintomyface,"whataboutyoursubmarine?IknowofmanythingswhichIthinkmoreimportant."

"I'venodoubtthattherearelawsagainstrumplinghair.Thereoughttobe.It'simportantenough.Butthesubmarine,"Iaddedhastily,forIsawindicationsoffurtherrumpling;"IwasonlyabouttoremarkthatifIwereoutinthebay--"

"Inaboat?"Eveasked,stillleaningforwardandlookingupintomyfacewiththesmilelurkingaboutherlovelyeyes.

"Inaboat.IfIwereoutinthebay,andasubmarinesuddenlypoppedupbesideme,Ishouldfeelmuchmoreinclinedtoofferthecrewmyluncheonthantoshootthem."

"Theywouldalllineuponthedeck,Isuppose,andyouwouldhaveyourchoice."

Ilaughed."Ishouldhavenogun.Besides,Iamacivilian.Thatisagainstme.Civiliansseemtohavenochanceworthmentioning."

Evewaslookingatmethoughtfully,andtherewasalookdeepinhereyesthatIcouldnotfathom.

"Youareacivilian,"shesaidsoftly,"andcivilianshaveno--andwhatthen,Adam?Didyouthinkof--"

"Theydon'twantdodderingoldmenofforty-three,andthereisnoneed.ButifmyclambedswereindangerIshouldnotfeelsoamiable.Imightevenstrainapointandtrytogetastandingthatwouldenablemetoshootalientrespassersproperly.Butwhy,Eve?Didyouwantmeto--"

"No,"sheansweredquickly."Oh,no.Iwasonlythinking."

"Ihavebeenthinking.IfwehadtohaveawarIamgladthatithascomenow.Pukkiecannotpossiblygo,andhemightwantto.Howwouldyoulikethat?"

Pukkieisourson,andheistenyearsold.Iknewhowitwouldfeeltohavehimgo.Itookhimofftoschoollastfall.Itisabeautifulschool,withfinemenformasters,anddignifiedbuildingsandextensivegrounds,nearlythreehundredacres,withwoodsandalake.IwishIcouldhavegonetosuchaschool.Itwouldhavedonemegood.ImoonedaboutwithPukkie,seeinghisroomandtheotherdormitories,andthedininghallandthegymnasiumandtheclassrooms,andthefootballfield,andthewoodsandthelake,andItriedtobecheerful,butIdidnotmakeasuccessofit.Icouldnotsaymuch.Pukkiewassilent

too.

Andalltoosoonitwastimeformetostartonmythree-milerideforthestation,andIgavehimalonghugandashortkissbehindaclumpofbushes;thelastkiss,Isuppose,thatIshallevergivemylittleson.Ihavenotforgottenhowaboyoftenfeelsaboutthat.AndIjumpedquicklyintothecar,andwestarted.IlookedbackandwavedtohimaslongasIcouldsee,andhewavedtomeonceortwice.Buthelookedverysmall,standingthereinthemiddleofthreehundredacres,gazingafterthecarandwavinghiscap,andIalmostbrokedownthen.



ItseemedalmostasifIweredesertingmysmallsonamongstrangers--enemies,perhaps,forhedidnotknowasoul;mylittlesonwhohadneverbeforebeenawayfromhomeasinglenightwithoutEveorme.ForEvehadtaughthimuptothattime,andIhaddonewhatIcould,--withhisLatinandthegroundingsofhisGreek,theverybeginningsofit,--whatoneofmystudentsoncecalledtheradishes.Ihadnotthehearttoinflictscienceuponhim.Ihateit.Ioughtnotto,forIwasbredinit,andtaughtitforsomeyears,whicharewellbehindme.Butthatwassmallcomforttomethen,andIhadhardworktokeepmyselfincontrolallthewayhome.ButPukkiedidnotbreakdown.Hemayhavecomenearit.Idonotknow.Hehasneversaidanythingaboutit.Ihave--toEve.Sheunderstood.Shealwaysunderstands.Thatisthecomfortofit.

ButEvehadmadenoreply.ShewasstillregardingmewiththatlookthatIcouldnotfathom,althoughIlookeddeepintohereyes.

"IthinkIcouldmanageit,"Isaid,feelingstrangelyuneasy.

"Managewhat?"sheasked."Pukkie'sgoing?"

"Heavenforbid!ItwasthatcivilianbusinessthatImeant.IthinkIcouldmanagetochangemycondition."

"No,no.Iwantyouhere,Adam.Thereisnoneedtochange,isthere?"Ishookmyhead,andEvereachedoutandtookmyhand."Youneednotchange--anything."

Itwasasifwithherloveforme,shehadgreatsorrow,andgreatpity;thoughwhyIwastobepitiedwasbeyondmyunderstanding.Idonotregardmyselfasapropersubjectforpity.Buttherearemanythingsbeyondmyunderstanding.Evewillenlightenmeinherowngoodtime.Andaswesat,therewasanothersteponthegrassbehindus,notsoft,buthasty.AndEveunclaspedherfingersfrommine,andturned.ItwasAnn,thenurse.

"Whatisit,Ann?"Evesaid."Where'sTidda?Goneagain?"

ThenAnnexplainedthatshehadbutturnedherbackforaminute,hadgoneintothehouseforherknitting,andcomerightback--hadruneverystepofthewaygoingandcoming--andTiddahaddisappeared.Tiddaisourdaughter,agedeight.HernameisnotTidda,butEve,asitshouldbe.Shehasapropensityforrunningaway,althoughIdonotthinkthatherexcursionsareplanned.Sheisatrueapostleoffreedom,andwhensheobservesthatnobodyisabout,sheregardsitasanopportunityheaven-born,andshemakesthemostofit.Icanhardlyblameher.Agirlofeight,andtiedtotheworthyAnn'sapronstrings!HowshouldIhavelikedit,attheageofeight?Shewouldsympathizewithouraimsinthiswarwehaveundertaken.ButEvehadrisen,andwasabouttogo.

"IsupposeIhadbetterstopatCecily's,"shesaid,"andateveryhouseontheroadtofather's.Shemayturnupthere.Anncanstayhere.Iwish,"sheadded,laughing,"thatIknewsomeway--"

"I'llgowithyou."

"I'dlovetohaveyou,Adam,butyou'dbettergoaroundbytheshore.Meetmeatfather's.Good-bye."

Andshewasgone,swiftly.Shealwayshassomeill-concealedanxiety



overthesedisappearancesofTidda's,andso,forthatmatter,haveI.Igotupslowlyandstartedtowardtheheadofthatsteeppathtotheshore;butstoppedhalfway,andturnedandwenttomyshed,andgotmyhoeandmyrubberboots.Itwasyetearlyintheseasonforclamming,butmywayledpasttheclambeds,andthetidewasalmostdown,andImightatleastseehowtheyweregettingon.So,myhoeandmybootsinmyhand,Iwentdownthesteeppath,andstrodealongtheshore.And,asIcamenearerthatplacewhichisevernearmyheart--wherethesodbreaksofftothesandjustabovemyclambeds--IthoughtIgotaglimpseofdraperybehindatree-trunk.Therearetreesthere,prettyneartheedgeofthethree-footbluff,thebeginningofagrovewhichisOldGoodwin's;andapathrunsbacktohishouse.IsawthatthegleamofwhiteIhadseenwasfromawhitedress,asmallwhitedress,adressthatsomehowseemedfamiliar;andIsawasmalllegintheair,itsstockingintheprocessofremoval.Isteppedforwardwithoutcaution,andIgrinneddownatmysmalldaughter.Itisimpossibletobecrosswithher,sheisalwayssoperfectlyconfidentofhavingdonenothingwhichsheshouldnothavedone.

SoIgrinneddownather,andshelookedupandgrinnedbackatme.

"Goinginwading,"sheannouncedcheerfully,continuingtopushthestocking,whichdidnotseemtowanttocomeoff.

"Goingwading,areyou?Well,don'tbeinahurry,Tidda.Let'stalkitover."

Shedidnotrelaxherefforts,butsheshookherhead.

"Haven'tgottimetotalknow,"shesaid."Daddy,youhelpmegetmystockingsoff.Theywon'tun-come.They'reanawfulbother."

"Waitaminute."Isteppedbackandlookedupatmybluff.TherewasAnnwatchingme,andevidentlyanxious.IsignalledtoherthatTiddawasfound--wehaveacodeforthepurpose,andAnnisletter-perfectinit--andshesignalledthatshewasmuchrelievedandwouldfindEveandtellher.Thenshedisappeared.

Isatdownbesidemydaughter."Now,Tidda,"Isaid,"thereareseveralgoodreasonswhyyoushouldnotgowading.Thewaterisverycoldstill,and--"

"Pullthisone,daddy,"shesaid,ignoringmyremarks,andstickingouttowardmethelegwithitsstockinghalfoff."Ifyoutakeholdofthetoeandtheheelandpull,it'llun-come.Ican'tdoit,becauseIcan'tgetholdfromthatend."

Ilaughed.

"Iwassayingthatthewaterisverycold,andthatmotherwouldn'twant

youtogowading."

Shepointedaccusinglyatmyrubberboots."You'regoing."

"Notnecessarily.IonlybroughtthemdownincaseIshouldwantto."

"Well,Idowantto."

"Ifyouhadrubberbootsandwarmstockingsunderthem--"



"Getmesomerubberboots."

Isighedandlaughed."Iwill,"Isaid,"butIcan'tgetthemthisminute.Willnothinglesssatisfyyou?Yousithere,andI'llgoandseehowtheclamsaregettingon.Iwillbringyouone."

Shewasonthevergeoftears."Iwasgoingtoseehowtheclamsweremyself.Dig'emwithastick.Icanfind'em.I'vefoundlots."

"Whatdoyoudowiththemwhenyou'vefoundthem?"

"Weplaywith'em,andwehadaclambakeonce."

"Weretheclamsgood?"

"Prettygood.Thereweresixof'em,oneapieceandtwoforAnn.Butshedidn'teathers.Shesaidtheyweren'tdone,andthatshewasn'tafishtoeatrawclams.Oh,look,daddy!"

OldGoodwin'soceansteamerwaslyingatheranchor,butIcouldseenothingunusualabouther.

"No,"saidTidda,"notgrandpa's,butoutthatway.Isitcominginhere?Itcomesfast,doesn'tit?"

SetrightbyTidda'spointingfinger,Isawthesteamer,butIcouldnotmakeoutwhatshewas,whetheryachtorwarvessel.Shehadthelinesofatorpedoboat,andwaspaintedgray,withlinesofbull's-eyesalonghersides,andnodecktospeakof,whereonecouldsitincomfort;butplainlyshewasnotorpedoboat,andasplainlyshewasnotasteamyachtofthecommontype.Shewasnearlytwohundredfeetlong,Ijudged,andofgreatspeed.

"Itiscominghere,"criedTiddainsomeexcitement."See!It'sgoingclosetograndpa's."

Asshespokethevesselroundedtoananchorageatasafedistancefrom

OldGoodwin's.Shecameatverynearlyfullspeed,thentherewasatremendouscommotionunderhersternwhichseemedtostophershort,herchainrattledout,andshelayquiet,theonlyevidenceofhereffortbeingthewhitewater,whichspreadoneithersideofherandforalongdistanceahead.Amotorlaunchwasloweredbeforeheranchortouchedbottom,severalmengotin,anditmadeforOldGoodwin'slanding.

Wehadnotheardthestepbehindus.

"Sohere'smylittlegirl,"saidEve."Oh!Whatboatisthat,Adam?"

"ThatisalittleboatofTidda's.Shefoundit.ButI'mgladyouhavecome,Eve."

Evelaughedandsatbesideme,andshebegantopullTidda'sstockingsintoplace.Butshesaidnothingaboutit,andTiddadidnotnoticeit.Andwhenshehadthestockingssmoothonthelittlelegsshestoodherdaughteronherfeetandstraightenedherdresswithatouch.Thenshegotup.

"Come,Adam,"shesaid,"let'sgouptofather's.Hewantstoseeyou.HetoldmeasIcamedown."



AndIgotupwithoutaword,andItookoneofmydaughter'shandsinmine,andEvetooktheother,andTiddadancedalongbetweenusonthepathallthewayupthroughthegrovetothegreathouse.AndIlookedatEve,andIsmiledasmileofcontent,andshesmiledbackatme.Thenhersmilechangedtooneofamusementasshesawwhatwasinmyotherhand,andIlooked,andIwascarryingmyoldbatteredbootsandmyclamhoe.ButOldGoodwinwouldnotmind.

II

OldGoodwinsawuscomingfromafar,Eveandmeandourdaughter,andheambleddowntomeetus.Hegavemehisoldslowsmileofpeace.

"Yousee,"Isaid,holdingupmybootsandmyclamhoe,"I'mgettingflustered.Ididn'tknowIhadthem.Ishouldhaveleftthemattheshore."

"Isee,"hesaid."Letmetakethem,Adam.Youwillneedthese.Butperhapsyouhadbettertakethemwithyou.Youmightforgetagain."

"I'llhangthemonmywatchchain.ButTiddaranawayagain."

"Iknow,"hesaid.Tiddahadruntohim,andwasclingingtohishand.Hestoopedandswungheruptohisshoulder.Shehasgottobeaheavyloadforaman'sshoulder,andheanoldman.ButOldGoodwindidnotlooklikeanoldman."IwishPukkiewerehere,"hesaid,"tobalance."

"Wewishhewere--tobalance.Itislessthantwomonthsnow,andhewillbe."

"Putherdown,father,"saidEve."Sheisheavy."

"Ilikeheruphere,"hesaid,"wheresheisnear.I'llputherdownif

shegetstooheavy."

Andheledthewaytothehouse,andupthesteps,andthroughvarioussectionsofpiazza,eachwithitstablesandchairsandcushions,tothatamplesectiononthewaterside,withitstelescopeanditsviewofthebay.There,beforeus,weretheoceansteamerofOldGoodwinandthenewarrival,asyetunknowntome;andbesideuswasMrs.Goodwin,andasIturnedtogreetherIsawagirlsittingbesideher,butalittlewithdrawnandinthedeepershadows.IntheglanceIgave,Isawonlythatshewasofpleasingcountenance,andquieteyethatseemedtotakeinallthatpassed,andmouthwithlittlecurvesofhumoraboutthecorners,andshehadhairofthecolorsofEve'sgreatbeavermuff.Therearebeautifulcolorsinthatbeavermuff.Introductionsfollowed.

Imissedhername,asIalwaysmissnewnames;andbeforetheintroductionswerewellover,theretroopedinJimmyWales,andBobbyLeverett,andayoungfellowwhomIdidnotknow,allinuniformofonesortoranother,andTomEllis,whomIdidknow.Helivesalmostacrosstheroadfromme.

Moreintroductionsfollowed;butwhenitcametheturnoftheyoungfellowwhomIdidnotknow,thegirllaughed,andheldoutherhand.

"Hello,Jack,"shesaidwithevidentsatisfaction."IhadnoideathatI



shouldseeyouhere."

"NorIyou,"hereplied."Butaren'tyouglad?Iam."

Andshelaughedagain,andbadehimwaitandsee.

Theyoungfellow'snamewasJackOgilvie.AndwhenIhadfoundthatoutwedriftedintochairs,andbegantoaskquestions.IwasnexttoBobby,whoisacousinofEve's.

"Whatboatisthat,Bobby?"

"Rattlesnake,"saidBobby."ShewastheEbenezer,buttheychangedit.Toobad,whenwehadanamethatjustfitted.We'reinthenavynow,youknow.We'reallU.S.N.R.F.,Classfour.TheEbenezerbelongedtoJimmyandme,buttheRattlesnakebelongstotheU.S.Weofferedittothem,andtheytookitsoquickitalmosttookourbreathaway.Shemakesthirtymilesanhoureasy,andalittlebetterifwedriveher.YouknowthatI'mapartnerofJimmy'snow."

Inodded.Sevenyearsagohewasofficeboy,justoutofcollege.

"Anyclamsonthispiazza,Adam?"Bobbyasked."Isee--"

"Yes,"Iinterrupted,"anybodymight.Thesebootsarenotinvisible.Iwishtheywere.Neitheristheclamhoe.Circumstancesbeyondmycontrol,Bobby,--ButwhatisJimmy?"

"Jimmy?Oh,Jimmy'slieutenantcommander."

"Andyouareanadmiral?"

"Well,no.Theyofferedmethatrank,ofcourse,butIthoughtI'dratherbeunderJimmy.I'malieutenant.Ogilvie'llbeanensignassoonashe'sofage.Theydon'toftengivecommissionstofellowsuntiltheyaretwenty-one.He'snotthroughcollegeyet."

"Chasingsubmarines,Bobby?Howmanyperiscopeshaveyoushotoff?"

Bobbylaughed."ThatinformationIamunabletoimpart,Adam.Undoubtedlyitwouldgivecomforttotheenemy.Butweshallbechasingsubmarinesprettysoon.Thatistobeourjob,sofarasweknownow.Wehaveanumberofchasersunderourcommand.Personally,I'dliketobeinpatrolworkoutinthesteamerlanes.Ourboatistoogoodforthisin-shorework.YouknowtheSmithsawasubmarineaweekortwoago."

Ishookmyhead.Ihavenofaithinthatreport.EverybodyhasbeenseeingsubmarinesfromEastporttotheGulf.

"WepickedupOgilvieatNewport,"Bobbycontinued."Iknewhim,and

he'dbeendoingpolicedutythere,andgoingthroughtrainingthatheknewaswellashisalphabet;nothingthatwasanymortaluse.SoIaskedforhim,andhewastransferred.Theydon'tseemtogetonveryfastatNewportwithourfellows.Idon'tknowwhy.Theyhavemoreboatsthantheyareusing,butmostofthemaresmallandslow,andtheyhavebeenbusywithmenfortheregularnavy.Isupposethey'llgetaroundtotherestofthemintime.Wearegoingtohavegoodbigchaserssometimesoon."

"Ah,Bobby,butwhen?Icouldgiveyousomestatisticsofournavy,but



Iwon't,forIdon'tbelieveyou'dstay.Ihavebeenreadinganarticlepackedfullofvaluableinformationwhichoughttobeofsomecomforttotheenemy.Itseemsthatnearlyallofourvesselsareoldorsloworboth--ortheyareinreserveinoneformoranother,withoutfullcrews;andwehavenosubmarinechasers--literallynonethatwouldbeofanyuseinchasing.WeshallnotgetanybeforenextJanuary,andthenonlyabeggarlyhundredorso.Itlooksprettybad,Bobby.Wemightaswellsurrenderatonce."

Bobbysmiled."Iknowwhereyougotthatdope.Isawittoo,andIwonderwhatgoodthechapthinksheisdoingbymakingoutthatwehavegonetothedogs.He'saknocker.Paynoattentiontohim,Adam.Ihavefaiththatallournavymenaren'tfools.Theremayevenbeoneortwowhoknowalmostasmuchashedoes.Yououghttoconductafewpatrioticmeetings.Andbeaspeaker,Adam.Youcouldmakegloriousspeeches.I'dcome."

"Flagsflying,--tothegreatadvantageoftheBuntingTrust,--and'TheStarSpangledBanner'sungseveraltimes,andyou'dhavetostandwithyourhatoff,andtakecoldinearlyMay,andheareverymaninthecountywhohaseverheldofficegivethehistoryofthecountry,andWashington'sFarewellAddress,andLincoln'sGettysburgSpeechdeliveredbyatalentedyoungladyfromourhighschool,--ifwehadone,--andbrassbands,andparades,andmefordrum-major,Isuppose,Bobby.

Buncombe!Therewouldn'tbeanable-bodiedmaninthegloriousassemblage--exceptthebandandthespeakers.Humbugandbuncombe!Truepatriotismdoesn'tgoaboutwavingtheflagandshouting.Patrioticmeetingsareessentiallyforwomenandchildren."

Bobbylaugheddelightedly."Noblesentiments,Adam.ButIwishyouwould."

Ishookmyhead."Never,"Isaid."ButIcouldgiveyousomehintsforyoursubmarinechasing.Youcouldputtheminasyourownideastoo.Ipromisenottodisputeyourclaims."

"I'malittleshyofyourhints,butfireaway."

"Well,thisismybest.Ihaveothers,buttheyaretooobvious.FirstyouwouldhavetosetaspindleonGreatLedge,aspindlewithacapaciouscageatthetop.AnotheroneonSowandPigs,andoneonHenandChickens,andonDevil'sBridge.Then,whenthereweresomesubmarinesoverhere,--Germanysaystherearenonenow,andIbelieveit,--whentheycame,putalivepigineachofthecages.It'sinthenatureofbaitingthetrap,yousee.Allyou'dhavetodowouldbetosittight,andremovethewrecks.They'dallpileuponthoseledges.Germanscan'tresistthelureofpig."

"That'snotahalfbadidea,Adam,"Bobbysaid."Ofcourseitmightbenecessarytorenewthebaitorfeedthepig,butthatwouldbeeasy;and

pigisprettyhighjustnow.There'sagoodpunthere,butI'llleaveittoyou.--Jimmy!"

JimmywastalkingtothegirlwhosenameIdidnotyetknow,butheturnedatBobby'shail.

"Jimmy,"Bobbysaid,"Adam'sjustgivenmeamostvaluablehintfortrappingsubmarines.Hereitisinallitsbeauty."AndheproceededtogivemyideainmoredetailthanIhaddone,addingsomemoreledgeswhichappealedtohimaslikelyspots,WatchHillLedge,totheeastof



Fisher'sIslandbeingone,Iremember."Youforgotthat,Adam.Itwouldbeacrackerjack,almostlevelwiththewater.Inanyseaatall,andthetideright,thewateropenseverylittlewhileandshowstherock.It'sfearsome."

"IsAdamgoingtoleavealltheworkofdanger,"askedJimmy,"tous?"

"Yes,"Bobbycried,"that'swhatIwanttoknow.Likebaitingthetraps,youknow.It'llbenosnaptogetthepigsintotheircages."

"Youcan'texpecttohaveallyourproblemssolvedforyou,Bobby,"Isaid."Youwouldalwayshavethebenefitofmycounsel,andgivingcounseltoyouandJimmyisnotwithoutitsdangers.Besides,"Iadded,modestlyIhope,"Ididhavesomethingelseinmind.Inadditiontothearduoustoiloftillingthesoil--"

"Cutthat,"saidBobby."Asifyoudidn'talwaystillthesoil!"

"Inadditiontothat,"Icontinuedwithdignity,"Ithoughtoforganizingacompanytoprotectsomeofourmostvaluablepropertyhere.ItwouldbeasortofHomeGuard.Submarines,iftheyescapedthetrapsandthehawkeyesofthepatrolfleet,andthestingsofthewasps,mightgetintotheharbor.Thentheywouldsurelygetaground,possiblyonmyclambeds,andtheywouldruinthedispositionsofmyclams.SoI

thoughtofmountingagunonthepoint--withMr.Goodwin'spermission--andenrollingallherepresentintheClamBedsProtectiveCompany,ofwhichIshouldbecaptain."

OldGoodwinapplaudedtheideaatonce,butaswellasIcouldjudgeintheconfusionwhichfollowed,JimmyandBobbyandTomElliswerenotofthesamemind.

FinallyTommadehimselfheard."WhatIwanttoknow,Adam,"heasked,"iswheredowecomein?IthinkIvoiceageneralquestion."

"IwasabouttonominateMr.Goodwinforcolonel,--honorary,ifheprefers,--andJimmyforadjutant,andBobbyandMr.Ogilviefor

lieutenants.Thosepostswouldhavetobehonoraryalso,unlessthenavycouldbeprevailedupontoassignthemtothatduty.Idon'tseethatthereisanythingleftforyou,Tom,buttobetheprivate.Itwouldbeahighlyhonorableoffice.Youwouldbetheonlyprivate."

"Isay,"Tomprotested,"Ilikethat!ButIhaveanidea.WhatabouttheSusieswhosewshirtsforsoldiers?Aren'tyougoingtogivethemachance?"

Eveinterruptedatthispoint.Iwasgladtohaveher.

"Oh,yes,hewill,"shesaid."Ipromisethathewill."

"SeemstomethatEveoughttobeelectedcaptain,"Tomobserved."Butperhapsitisn'tnecessary.Shewillbeanyway."Theyalllaughedatthat--allbutmeandOgilvie.Evenoticedthat.Ididnotseeanythingridiculousabouttheidea.IamgladtoserveunderEve,andeverybodyknowsit.

"IwillenrollCecily,"Tompursued;"but,Adam,makemeasergeant,won'tyou?"headdedinahoarsewhisper."Iwanttohavesomeauthorityoverher."



"I'llseeaboutit.Ishallhavetothinkitover,andperhapsgetsomeadvice."AndTomturnedatoncetoEve,andwhispered,andshesmiledandnodded.

"Theuniform,Adam?"askedOldGoodwin."Don'tputustoanyunnecessaryexpense."

"Iwasabouttospeakofthat.Ihavebroughtsomesampleswithme."AndIheldupmybootsandmyclamhoe.

OldGoodwinsmiled."Thatisverysatisfactory."HelookedatTom."Ifanybodyprefersarakeforarms,Isupposetherewouldbenoobjection,Adam?"

Ishookmyhead.ThentherewereobjectionsfromJimmyandBobby,onthegroundthattheywouldhavetobuybootsandhoe,andthatthebootswouldbenewandnotinkeeping.ButIsaidthat,astheirofficeswerehonorary,theywouldnothavetoprovidethemselveswithuniforms,andtheycouldgoclammingintheirnavaluniformsiftheyliked.Ishouldnotobject.

"Well,"saidBobbythoughtfully,"wehavebootsandslickersandsou'westers.Perhapstheywilldo.Whenisthefirstmeetingofourcompany--attheclambeds,Adam?"

Itoldhimthatitwasatrifleearlyforthatyet.ItwouldbeassoonasIthoughtitsafefortheclams.Thenathoughtstruckme.

"Howdoesithappen,"Iasked,"thatapatrolboatcanbecominginhere--foralltheworldlikeayacht--andallitsofficerscomeashore,asiftheyhadnothingtodo?"

Evehadbeensilentforsomeminutes,occupiedwithherdaughter,whostoodsilentbesideher.Tiddahadbeenstrangelyquiet.

"Yes,Bobby,"saidEve,"accountforyourself.Whatareyouherefor?Itisnotfornothing."

"Sh!Themovementsofshippingarenottobereported.ButIdon'tmindtellingyou,Eve,thatweregardthisasabase,inasense.Icamebecausemysuperiorofficerorderedit.Idon'tknowhisreasons,butIsurmisethathehopedthatsomeofyoupeoplewouldbecharitableenoughtoaskustodinner."

Jimmygrinned,andOldGoodwinsmiled,buthesaidnothing.JimmyWalesandBobbyareespecialfavoritesofhis,andBobbyishisnephew.

"Ispeak,"saidEve,"forMr.Ogilvie.Youcan'tcome,Bobby.You'llhavetostayherewithJimmy."

"Oh,Isay,Eve!"

"No.YoumaybringMr.Ogilviewithinsightofthehouse,andshowittohim."SheturnedtoOgilvie."You'llcome?"sheasked,holdingoutherhand.

Ogilvieseemsaniceyoungchap.HebowedveryprettilyoverEve'shand,andsaidsomethingnice,Iamsure,forIwaswatchingEve'sface.Icantellalways.AndOgilviesmiled,andEvegotuptogo,andIgotuptoo,ofcourse,andJimmyandBobbyandeverybodygotuponeatatime,asif



itwereaprayer-meeting.ItbrokeupthepartytohaveEvego.Eve'sgoingisveryapttobreakupanyparty.

Bobbycameoutwithusthroughtheinterminableseriesofpiazzas.

"Isay,"hewhispered,"who'sthenewgirl,Adam?Doyouknow?"

Ishookmyhead."Ididn'thearhername,Bobby,andIdon'tknowanythingabouther.Sheisattractive."

"M-m.I'llaskEve."

Evesaidthatthegirl'snamewasElizabethRadnor,butsheknewnothingabouther,andhadneverheardofherbefore."But,"sheadded,"whydon'tyouaskJimmy?--orMr.Ogilvie?Heknewherbefore."

"Sohedid.Goodidea,Eve.Iwill.ButJimmyoughttobeashamedofhimself.He'smarried,andImighttellMadge.Weneverknowwhatwemightdo."

Evelaughedathim."DidyouthinkyoucouldworryMargaret?"

"IthoughtperhapsIcouldworryJimmy.Buthedoesn'tworrymuch."Wewereattheheadofthesteps."Well,good-bye,hardheart,spurningthe

beggarfromyourdoor.Ihopeyourconsciencewillgiveyounorest."

Evelaughedagain,andTiddapipedupagood-bye,andBobbyturnedback.And,bythetimewehadreachedthebottomofthesteps,OldGoodwinhadcaughtus,andhadtakenTidda'shand.

"IthoughtI'dbettercome,Adam,"hesaid,"andseeabouttheemplacementforthatgun."

Sowewandereddowntothebank,wherethesodbreaksofftothesand,andwelingeredthere,sayingnothingandwatchingthesungetlower.Andtheday,thathadbeenaswarmassummer,grewsomewhatchillasthesunsanknearertothebeardedhills,andourdaughterwasrestless

andwantedtogohome.Sowewendedalongtheshore,andOldGoodwinleftus,andwewentupthesteeppaththatleadstomybluff,andtherewefoundOgilvieundermypine,standingsilentandlookingoutovertheharbortothewest.

Ogilviewasmodestandunassumingandpleasant.Hespokewhenhewasspokento,andsometimeswhenhewasnot,buthedidnotvolunteeranythingabouthimself,althoughhewasveryreadytoanswerquestions.Evesucceededinfindingoutsomethingabouthimwithoutseemingtotry.HewentdowntoNewportaboutthefirstofApril.Naturallyenough,heseemedalittledisappointedthattheauthoritiesatNewporthadnotseemedtobereadyforhim,andthathispreparationhadbeenlargelyawasteoftime.Hehadbeenfourdaysonawatchboat,guardingNewport

harbor,pilotingvesselsinthroughthenets,andincidentally,oneverythicknight,carryingawaythemooringbuoysofoneofthenets;thenhehadbeenputonpolicedutyinNewport,runningindrunkensailors,orjustwalkingbackandforthonhisbeat,tryingtokeepawake.Thentherehadbeenmoredrill,andhehadbeentransferredtotheRattlesnake.

Thenwetalkedofbooks,thetheatre,andgardening,inwhichhehadhadexperience.Myheartwarmedtohim,andwediscussedcornandmelonsandasparagusandpeasandbeansandsquashesandcucumbersandchardand



okraandsuchlikeformorethananhour.Fromthemweprogressedtomoreintimatethings,whensuddenlyanoisestartedjustoutsidethewindow,andherosewithasmile,sayingthatitwasanoiseofJimmyandBobbysinging"PoorButterfly,"andhesupposeditmeantthathemustgo.Andhethankedusverynicely,andwentoutintothenight.Iwentwithhimandaskedthemin,buttheyassuredmethatIwasanungratefulwretch,andtheywouldhavenothingtodowithmeandmyinvitation.

Sotheywentoffdownmysteeppathtotheshore,stillsinging"PoorButterfly,"Isuppose,althoughIamunfamiliarwithmodernclassics.AndEvecameoutandjoinedme,andweheardthemgoingalongtheshore,stumblingovergreatpebbles,andthepoorbutterflyflutteringoffintothedistance.Andwhenwecouldhearnomoreofitwewentin,andIshutthedoorassoftlyasIcould,butthesoundofitsshuttingwentboomingthroughthehouse;andIsmiledasIblewoutthecandles,andIwassmilingstillasEvetookmyhandinhersandwemountedthestairstogether.

III

JoffrewasinBostononSaturday,the12thofMay.Vivianialsowasthere,andsomeothers,butthemarshal,theherooftheMarne,wastheattraction.Eveacknowledgedasmuchtomeontheeveningbeforetheevent.

"Idowanttoseehim,"shesaid,"andIsupposeyou'llthinkitfoolish,butI'mgoingup.ProbablyIshallcrywhenIseehim.Adam,"sheaddedsomewhatwistfully,"youdon'twanttogo,Isuppose?Fatherwilltakeusinhiscar--thenewone."

Thataboutthe"newone"wasplainlynothingmorethanbait.

"WhyshouldIwanttogo,"Isaid,"excepttogowithyou?Ialwayswanttodothat.AndIshouldbegladtobewithyourfather,butnomoreinhisnewonethanonourbankattheshore.Notsomuch.Thereismuchtodohere.WhyshouldIwanttogo,Eve?Idon'twanttocry."

Shelaughed."Noreason,Adam,unlessitistostiryourimagination."

"Myimaginationisstirredsufficientlyhere.YouknowthatIdetestcrowds,andparades.AndIwasgoingtoplantagainto-morrow."

Shesighedsoftly,andsmiledadorably."Well,Adam,plantthen.Iknewitwouldboreyoutogo.Themiddleofacrowdwatchingaparadeisnoplaceforyou.Ishouldlovetohaveyouwithme,butIthinkyouhad

betternotcome.Idon'twant_you_tocry."Andshelaughedalittle,unsteadily.

"Imight,"Isaidsomewhatgruffly."Itisconceivable.Butthereisonething.Ihatetospeakofit.Yourfatheroughtnottogooffontheselongtripsanymorewithoutachauffeur.Theremaybehardworktodo,andheis--notyoung,Eve.Besides--"

"Heisgoingtotakeachauffeur,"saidEve,interruptingmehurriedly."Ithinkitalmostbreakshishearttoacknowledgeit,butherealizes



thatheoughtto.Ofcoursethatwouldn'tmakeanydifferenceaboutyourgoing."

Ishookmyhead.ItwasnopartofmyobjectionthatImightbecalledupontodosomehardwork.Ihadplannedtodoagooddealofhardworkathome.

SoEvesetoffabouteleventhenextmorningalonewithherfatherandthechauffeur.OldGoodwinwasinthedriver'sseat,anditdidnotseemlikelythatthechauffeurwouldhaveanythingtodo.AndIstoodinmygardenclothes,leaningonmyhoe,andwavedagood-byetothem,feelinghalfregretfulandwhollyself-reproachful;andEvemadeherfatherstop,andshecalledme,andIcamerunning,andsheleanedoutandkissedme,andshewentoffsmiling.Ilookedafterthem,andtheyhadnotgonemorethanahundredyardsorsowhentheystoppedagain,andTomEllisandCecilycameoutoftheirdoorandgotintothebackseatwithEve.AndIsmiled,andturned,andwentbacktomygarden,thinkingthatthebestofwomen--andIgavealittlestart,forithadoccurredtomethatthechauffeurwasaFrenchman.AndIwonderedifthey--butofcoursetheydid.Suchthingsdonothappenbyaccident--withOldGoodwinandEve.

Itwascoldfortheseason.Ithadbeencoldandwetforthreeweeks,andmycornwasnotup,normymelonsthatIhadputinthreeweeks

before,normybeans.Myexperimentwithmelonshasnotyetbeenafailureifithasnotbeenasuccessthisyear.Iwasdoubtfulaboutthecorn,soIdugupakernel,andIfounditsprouted,andIputitbackandcoveredit.Mypeaswereup,anddoingbravely,andthebeanswereaboutbreakingthrough,fortheearthwascrackedallalongtherows.AndIgotoutmysectionsofstoutwirefencing,andputtheminplacealongtherowsofpeas.Theytaketheplaceofpea-brush,andaremucheasiertoputupandtotakedown.Thefencingisfastenedtostoutposts,andthepostshavepiecesofiron,aboutafootandahalflong,shapedmuchlikeamarlin-spike,boltedtothemfordrivingintotheground.Icantakemysledgehammeranddrivetheposts,andgetarowofpeaswiredinatenththetimeneededtosetbrush,andthefencingismuchlessexpensive,inthelongrun.Myfenceshavedoneservicefor

thirteenyearsalready,andtheyareperfectlygood.

SoIfussedaroundamongthepeas,andplantedmorecornandmorebeans,andmoremelons,andarowofchard,andtworowsofokra,andsomeotherthings.Ioftenthinkthattheplacefortallgreenokraistheflowergarden.Theblossomsarebeautiful,delicatethings,morebeautifulthanmostofthehollyhocks.AndnowandthenIstoppedmyplanting--amanhastoresthisback--andIleanedonmyhoeormyrakeorwhateverIhappenedtohaveinmyhand,andIthoughtmythoughts.Theyweremany,andtheywerenot,atsuchmoments,ofmyplanting.

Theharborwasalmostemptystill.Therewasbutonefisherman'sboatandtwomotorboats,littlefellows,notsuitedtopatrolling.Andthe

skywasgray,andgettingdarker,andthewintergullsflyingacross,andwheelingandscreamingharshly.Occasionallyagullbeatacrossmygarden,flyinglowandscreaminghisharshnote.Iwatchedthem,andenviedthemuntilIsawafish-hawksailinghighupamongtheclouds.ThenIenviedhim:hiscalmnessandserenity,andhispowersofwingandeye,seeingtheswimmingfishfromthatheight,andperfectlysecure.Then,naturallyenough,Ithoughtofaeroplanes,sailingandcirclinglikethegreathawk,andseeingtheirpreyassurelyashe.Ineverhadtheslightestwishtogoupinanaeroplane.Thehawkseemssecureinhissailing,theaeroplanedoesnot,andImayenvythehawkwhile



shrinkingunaccountablyfromtheaeroplane.Butiftheycanseethesubmarinefromupthere,andcanpounceuponitassurelyasthehawkstrikeshisfish--well,ifwehadaplagueofsubmarines,itwouldbeacomforttoseeahawknowandthen.AndIthoughtofJimmyWalesandBobbyLeverettandOgilviesearchingthewatersforthatwhichwasnot.

Jimmyhasputinhereeveryfewdays.Itishardtoseewhy,butwehaveseenagooddealofOgilvieandBobby,andBobbyhasseenmoreorlessofElizabethRadnor.Sheisstillratheramysterytome,agirlthatMrs.Goodwinchanceduponsomewhere,andtookagreatfancyto.Thatisnotstrange,thatMissRadnorshouldhavebeenfancied,butitisstrangethatMrs.Goodwinshouldhavetakenthefancy,andthatsheshouldhaveaskedherhereforanindefinitestay.Mrs.Goodwindidnotusetofancyobscureteachersofathleticsorgymnasticsordancingingirls'schools,andMissRadnorisorwassomethingofthekind.ShemaybegivinglessonsindancingtoMrs.GoodwinforallIknow--ortoBobby.Itisnotofmuchconsequence.IfBobbyshouldreallycomeuponsubmarines,itwouldbeoflittleconsequencetohim.

Thinkinguponsubmarines,therecameintomyheadtheaccountthatIhadjustseenintheLondon"Times"ofthecaptureofasubmarinebyatrawler.AsIrecollectit,thetrawlerwasgoingaboutherbusinessintheNorthSea--abusinessnotunconnectedwithsubmarines--whensuddenlyasubmarinebegantoemergefromthedeepjustahead.Thetrawlerputon

allthespeedshehadtimefor,andrammedthesubmarineamidships,slidinguponitsbodyhalfherlength,sothatthecaptainfoundhimselfwell-nighstrandedneartheperiscope.Whereuponhecalledforanaxe,andsmashedthatperiscopeintoscrapironandfragmentsofglass.Thetrawlerthenslidoff,andthesubmarineopened,andthecrewpouredforthuponherdeckandforthwithsurrendered,andthetrawlertowedthemintoanEnglishport.Thinkinguponthis,Ilaughedaloudtothegullsandthehawk.IhadrefrainedfromgoingtoBostontohavemyimaginationstirredbylookingataparadeandlisteningtothebands!

Tostirmyimagination!IhadbuttopicturetomyselfthedestroyerfightintheChannelonthenightofApril20,twoEnglishdestroyers,SwiftandBroke,againstsixGermandestroyers,inthedarknessofa

blacknight;afive-minutebattle,butthosefiveminutescrowdedfull.Ramming,torpedoing,repellingboarders,fightingwithpistolsandcutlasesandbayonets,respondingtoatreacherouscalltosave--itwasallworthyofthetimesofDrake.Stirmyimagination!Ifoundmyselfstartingforwardandbrandishingthehoe,mybreathcomingfast,andmyeyes,Ihavenodoubt,flashingfire.Ilaughedagain.Itwasraining.Ithadbeenraining,Isuppose,forfiveminutesatleast,andIhadnotknownit.Igatheredupmytools,putthemintheshed,andwentintothehousetochangemyclothes,andtoconsumemypintofmilk,whilemydaughter,oppositeme,consumedhers--andsomeotherthingsbesides.

AfterluncheonIputonmyrubberbootsandwentout.Itwasstillraining,agoodharddrizzlefromthesoutheast.Itsuitedmewell

enough,andIwanderedtheshoresalltheafternoon,orstoodintheshelterofatreeandlookedoutoverthebay.Ilikedit.Thereissomethingsoothingandatthesametimestirringinsuchadayandsuchaplace.Therewasagoodheavybreeze,andtheseasmarched,andthesoundoftheirbreaking,andthefreshwetwindonmycheek,andthegrayveilofrainovertherollingwater,withnotasailorsomuchasasmudgeofsmokeinsight--well,itishardlyworthwhiletosayhowitaffectsme.ThosewhofeelasIdowillnotneedtobetold,andforthosewhodonotitwouldbeuseless.Butmanseemsalittlething,andtheaffairsofmanofnoimportance--absolutelynone.



Astheafternoonworeon,thedrizzlebecamelessandfinallystopped,althoughitwasstillgray.Andthenthecloudsbegantobreak,andIwanderedhomewardalongtheshore,andIclimbedthesteeppath,andsatmeontheseatundermygreatpine,whereIcouldseethewaterandthesunwhenhewasreadytoshowhisface.AlongtimeIsatthere,andIheardnosoundfromtheharborexceptthescreamsofthegulls,andnosoundfromthelandexceptthesoundofthewindblowingamongtheneedlesofthepineabovemyhead.Andatlastthegullsweregone,andthesunpeepedoutfromundertheedgeoftheraggedandscuddingcloud,andIfeltagentletouchuponmyarm.AndIturnedmyheadandlooked,andtherewasPukkie;Pukkie,mylittleson,mywell-beloved.

Iputbotharmsaroundhim,andIhuggedhimshamelessly.Iwasgladtofeelthathehuggedmeinturn,andhuggedmehard.UsuallyIputmyarmaroundhimgentlyandsurreptitiously,forIwouldnotdrawhisattentiontotheact.Idreadthetimewhenhewillshrinkfrommyembraces;butthattimedoesnotseemtohavecomeyet.

"Oh,Pukkie!"Icried."Mydearlittleson,whereintheworlddidyoucomefrom?"

Helaugheddelightedly."Fromschool,"hesaid;andhenestledagainstme.

"Buthowdidyougethere?Yourmotherwent--buthaveyouseenher?Whereisshe?"

Heglancedupovermyshoulder,andsmiled."Turnaround,daddy."

Andtherecamefromovermyheadalowrippleoflaughter,andIlookedupintoEve'slovely,smilingface.Sheslippeddownupontheseatbesideme,andIreachedoutforherhand,thatwasalreadyreachingoutformine,andherfingersclaspedmineclose.

"Mygoodness,Eve,"Isaid,"butI'mgladtohaveyouback--andPukkie."

"You'renogladdertohavemethanIamtogetback.Idon'teverwanttogoanywherewithoutyou,Adam.ButI'veseenhim--seenJoffre--andIwavedwithallmymight,andIcried.IknewIshould."

"AndPukkie?"

"Oh,fatherstoppedforhimonthewayup.Hesaiduntiltheendoftheyearwastoolongtowait,andhe'dbringhimbackintwodays.Theheadmasterdidn'twanttolethimgo,butfathergenerallyhashisway.Anditbegantorain,butwedidn'tmind."

"AndwhenyousawJoffreyouwept?"

"Notexactly.Therewasayoungfellowstandinginthecrowdquietly,withhisarminasling.Hewashardlymorethanaboy,andhelookedsick.Hehadbeautifulsombreeyes,withalookinthemthat--well,asifhehadseensomuch,andasifhedidnotquiteunderstand.Youshouldhaveseenhiseyes.Likeawildthing.AndwhenJoffrecame,Ithoughthewouldgocrazy.Hewavedhiscapfrantically,andthetearsjuststreamedoutofhiseyes,andyoushouldhaveheardhim.Joffreheard,andsaw,andheleanedoutofthecar,andhesalutedthatboy.My!Thatboywasproud.Youcanguess--thatwaswhenIcried.Andwegothimintothecarwithus.Hedidn'tlookabletogofar.Hewasa



soldierwhohadbeenwiththeCanadiansoverthere,aFrenchmanbybirth.Hetoldusalittleaboutit,buthedidn'tseemtowanttotalk.Hehadbeenwounded,andsick,andhadcomebackoverhereonsickleaveorsomethingofthekind.AndheandLejeune,thechauffeur,gottotalking,andwetookhimhome.Hewantstogetbackintothefightingassoonashecan.Andwhenhegotout,Lejeunegotouttoo.Hewasgoingtoenlist."

"Leftyouonthespot?"

Evelaughed."Yes,"shesaid,"butIratherguessthatitwasn'tunexpected.Ishouldn'tbesurprisedifthatwaswhatfathertookhimfor.Atanyrate,fatherjustsmiled,andgavethembothhisblessing,andtoldLejeunetocomebackwhenthewarwasover.Andhegavehimsomemoney,andsaidthattheycoulddivideitbetweenthem."

"Howmuch,Iwonder?"

"Idon'tknowhowmuch,butagooddeal,considerablymorethanahundreddollars.Hehadanotealreadywritten,too,a'character,'asthemaidscallit,sayingthathewasagoodchauffeur.ThenTom--hehadbeengettinguneasy--saidthathewantedtobeinonthistoo,buthewasn'tsowellpreparedasfather.Andhegavethemallhehadwithhim,exceptadollarortwo.ThatwastoomuchfortheFrenchboy,andhe

wavedhiscapagain,andcried,'_VivelaFrance!Vivel'Amérique!_'withthetearsstreamingdownhisfaceagain.AndIcriedsomemore,andsodidCecily.Oh,Ihadalovelytime,Adam."

Evewaslaughingagain,andpressingclosertome."ThatFrenchboywasamachinistbeforehewenttothewar,andLejeuneisagoodchauffeur,andIshouldn'twonderifthey'dbothgetintodrivingwhentheygetoverthere.Ihopeso.Buthewasn'tthinkingofthat,theFrenchboy.Heisreadytogoback,whenhistimecomes,andmeethisfatewithahighheart.Withahighheart,Adam.Oh,"shecried,"don'tyouthinkitisstirring--justalittle--totheimagination?Don'tyou?"Andshegavemealittleshake.

Inoddedsoberly,andhuggedPukkiecloser."Irejoice,Eve,"Isaidirrelevantly,"thatPukkieisnotyeteleven."

Evedidnotreplydirectly.Hereyesfilledwithtears,andshedrewPukkiearoundbetweenus."Isupposeitisselfish,"shesaid."IfaFrenchmachinistgoes--onlyabouteightornineyearsolderthanPukkie--andcanstirmeallupwiththeideaofit--why--"

Shedidnotfinish,soIdidnotknowwhatshewouldhaveasked.ButIcouldguess.

"Wariswicked,"Isaid."Thereisnonoveltyinthatidea.Butifawickedwarisstarted,itmaybemorewickedtokeepoutofitthanto

goin,andtheremaybemoremiseryinvolvedinkeepingoutthaningoingin.Idon'tknowaboutthisone,andIdon'tbelievethatanybodyknows.OnethingIdoknow,andthatisthatwarswillcontinuetooccuratintervalsaslongashumannatureiswhatitis.Manisafightinganimal.Whenheceasestobe,thetimeofhisfallwillhavearrived.Ihavespoken."

Evelaughedmerrily."Butyouhavenotfinished.Goon,oracle."

"Nomorefromtheoracle.Onlyapurelypersonalobservation.Icouldgo



intothefightingwithasortofatitillation--anunholyjoyinfightingforitsownsake,quiteapartfromanyfeelingforanycause.Ibelievethatthatisthefeelingwhichanimatesmostmenwhovolunteertofight.Ofcoursetheychoosetheirsidefromconviction.Atleast,itistobehopedthattheydo.Butasfortheactualcombat,thereisajoyinthefight--why,thataloneaccountsforallourgames,atbottom."

Evewaslookingatmedoubtfully."But,Adam,"shesaidslowly,"youdon'tmeanto--youaren'tgoingto--"

Ishookmyhead."Ihavenosuchintention.Makeyourmindeasy.Ihaveadependentfamily.Idon'tknowwhatyouwoulddowithoutmyeffortstosupportyou.Itwouldbeaterriblemisfortuneifyouwerecastuponyourfather'sshoulders.Youmightstarve."

Eveseemedtobeamused.ButPukkiehadbeengettinguneasy,andhebegantosquirm.Thenheseizedmyarm.

"Look,daddy.Seethatbigschooner.Ineversawherbefore.Whatisit?"

Ilooked.Agreatwhiteschoonerwasheadedin,andshewasalmostattheentranceoftheharbor.Thewindhadfallenlightwiththeapproach

ofthesuntohissetting;theschoonerhadallherlightsailssetandcameonfast.Suddenlythelightsailsbegantocomeoff,slackingdown,wrinkling,andgatheredin,andstowed,asamanwouldtakeoffhiscoat.Beforeonewaswellinanotherwouldstartslackingdown,wrinkling,gatheredin,andstowed,almostasfastasItellit.Thatmeantabigcrewwelltrained.Allherkiteswerestowed,andshebeganroundingintothewind,lettingherjibsgoasshecamearound.Sheshotalongway,butstoppedatlast,andherchainrattledout,andshebegantodriftastern.Thenherforesailcamedownsteadily,andbeforeitwasdown,sailorsswarmedoutuponthefootropesofthemainboom,andthegreatmainsailbegantocomedown,slowlyandsteadily,gatheredinasitcamebythemenuponthefootropes.Bythetimeallherchainwaspaidout,andshewasfinallyatrest,allhersailswerefurled,and

theyweregettingoutthecovers.

Ashiningmahoganylaunchwasdroppedintothewater,runbacktothegangway,andagirlranlightlydownthesteps.

"ElizabethRadnor,"saidEve,wondering."Whatcanshebedoingthere?"

"Perhapstheownerstakelessonsindancing,"Isuggested.

Evesmiled."Shegiveslessonsinswimmingtoo,"shesaid.

AmanfollowedMissRadnor.Heseemedstrangelyfamiliar.

"Bobby!"criedEve."Ithinkit'sfunny.I'msureit'sBobby."

IwassureitwasBobby.Itmightbefunny,butitwasnotstrange.ThelaunchmadeforOldGoodwin'slandingatfortymilesanhour.

IV



Ilayagainstthebankabovemyclambeds,withmyhandsclaspedbehindmyhead,andIgazedupatthewhitishblueofthesky,andatthelittlefloatingcloudsfleckingtheblue,andatanoccasionalherringgullflyingacrossmyfieldofvisionwithmoderatewing-beatsandwithnoapparentobject,andattheprocessionofscreamingternsbusyattheirfishing.Fortheternshavecome,whichalwaysmarksthechangeofseasonforme,butthewintergullshavenotallgone.AndIlookedatthetreeovermyhead,andIcastbackovertheyears.Icouldseethetreemerelybyraisingmyeyes,withoutraisingmyhead.

Thattreehasassociationsandahistory:forunderthattreeEvestoodthefifthtimethatIsawher,--Iremembereachtime,--anditwasraining,aharddrizzlefromthesoutheast,andthewaterdrippedfromherwidefelthat,andshoneuponherlongcoat,andshewassmiling.Sothattreehasassociationsforme--andforEveaswell,Ibelieve.Andsundrypairsofrubberbootshavebeenhunginacrotchofit,bothEve's,andatasomewhatlatertime,OldGoodwin's;whereforeithasahistory.Andhere,too,justwheremyheadwaspillowed,EvehadsatbutascanttwohoursafterIhadfoundherout,--IhadthoughtshewasagovernessinOldGoodwin'shouse,--andshehadsetusbothrightforever.Andnowthereweremanyhappyyearsbehindus,andmorehappyyearsaheadofus,andtherewerePukkieandTidda;butmostofalltherewasEve.

SoIlayanddrankinthesunshine,andbaskedinitswarmth,andmymindwasablanksaveforthesepleasantmusings.Mypoorlittleson!AlloftheSundaythathewashere--twodaysago--itrainedhard.Hedidnotseemtomindit,butdraggedmeoutinit--hehadnotsuchhardworktogetmeout.Ilikethewetwellenough,butwehavehadalongstretchofcoldandwet.Buthegotmeout,andwanderedtheshore,cladinhisrubbercoat,andhisrubberboots,andhislittlesou'wester,andhewatchedthewhiteschooner;butontheschoonertherewasnosignoflifesavesomesailorsstandinglikestatuesintheirdrippingoilskins,andamaninapea-jacketandfadedoldbluecap,whopacedbackandforthatthestern,orstoodstillbytherailforlongperiods,andthentookuphispacingagain.AndPukkielookedupatme

andaskedwhetherIthoughthewasthecaptainorthemate,andwouldhavegoneoutthereinoneofOldGoodwin'sboats,withmetohelphimrow.ButIrefused.Itiswetanduncomfortablerowinginapouringrain;betterstanding.

Andhewouldgouptohisgrandfather'sinthehopeoffindingBobbyLeverett.Sowewent,andwefoundBobbysittingonthepiazzawiththetelescopeandMissRadnor;andPukkiebeardedBobbyinhischair,andaskedhimpoint-blankwhathehadbeendoinginthatschooner.WehadtoldPukkieabouttheRattlesnake,andJimmyWalesandOgilvie.

AndBobbygrinnedatmyson,andansweredhim,ifyoucallitananswer.

"Sorrynottobeabletotellyou,Puk,oldchap,"hesaid,"butyouknowweareenjoinednottopublishinformationofthemovementsofvessels,andtheplansofthenavyareadeadsecret.Itmightgiveinformationtotheenemy."Andhepointedatme.

"Doyouknowtheplansofthenavy?"askedPukkie.

Bobbylaughed,andsodidMissRadnor."Irefusetoanswer,"saidBobby,"onthegroundthatitwouldincriminateme.Wemayhavebeenoutbaitingourtraps.Askyourfatheraboutit."



"Idon'tbelievethenavyhasanyplans,"Isaid,"sofarasyouareconcerned.Theyjustwanttomakeyouthinkthatyouarebusy."

"Treason!"Bobbycriedloudly."Treason!I'mafraidit'smydutytolaychargesagainstyou,Adam."

"AndI,"Iretorted,"willexpelyoufrommembershipintheClamBedsProtectiveCompany--ifyoupersist."

"There!"saidMissRadnor."Howwillyoulikethat,Mr.Leverett?"

"I'llhavetogivein,"Bobbyreplied."It'sacruelandunusualpunishment,andthereforeunconstitutional,butAdamwouldn'tmindalittlethinglikethat.IammovedbythethoughtofEve'sgrief,althoughyouwouldn'tthinkthatagoodsportlikeEvewouldobjecttoatraitor'stakingoff.Isurrender,Adam.Bemerciful."

OurnoisehadattractedOldGoodwin,andhejoinedus.And,thinkingthatBobbymightaswellbelefttothesocietyofthetelescopeandMissRadnor,welefthim,wethree,andbetookourselvestotheshore.Onthewhiteschoonerthemaninthepea-jacketandoldfadedbluecapwasstillpacingbackandforthbytherail,andPukkieturnedtohisgrandfatherandaskedhimthequestionwhichIcouldnotanswer.

AtthatmomentthemancaughtsightofOldGoodwin,andwavedhisarm,andOldGoodwinansweredthewave.

"ThatisCaptainFergus,Pukkie.He'sthecaptain.Someyearsagohewascaptainofvesselsthatsailedthedeepoceans."

Mysonwasastonished.Captainswhosailthedeepoceanscommandhisunboundedrespect.Iinferredfromhisreplythatskippersofyachts,evenofgreatwhiteschooneryachts,donot.

"Washe?"hesaid."Howdoesithappenthatheisskipperingayachtthen?"

OldGoodwinlaughedhispleasant,quietlaugh.

"Heownstheyacht--orhedid.Ithinkitlikelythathegaveupgoingtoseaonaccountofhiswife.Hewasmarriedfourorfiveyearsago."

"Oh,hiswife!"mysonrepliedinaccentsofdeepscorn.Itwasevidentlyincomprehensibletohimthatamanshouldgiveupsuchadelightfuloccupationforamerewife.

OldGoodwinlaughedagain."I'dtakeyououtthereifitweren'tsowet.Butnevermind.She'llbeinhereagainsometimewhenyou'reathome."

Thenwewanderedtheshoresuntiltherainstoppedandtheskywasamassofheavygrayclouds,butthesundidnotcomeout;andPukkiehadtogoin.

ThenextmorningPukkiefoundthattheyachthadgone,andOldGoodwintookhimbacktoschool,alonewithhiminthegreatcar.Pukkiedidnotmindgoingback.Hehasbecomeacclimatedatschool,andhelikestoridewithhisgrandfather,sittinginthefrontseatwithalltheclocksandmetersandswitchesandthelittlelampslikeeyesandthelevers



andpedalsspreadoutbeforehim.ThereisreasontosupposethatOldGoodwingetssomepleasureoutofit.ThatiswhyneitherEvenorIwent.Thereismorepleasureforhimwhentheytwoarealone.OldGoodwinandhisgrandsonaregreatchums.

WhenIhadgottothispointinmyruminations,Irealizedthatthegreatpebblesunderme,althoughpartlycushionedbysandandbythedriedseaweedwhichhadwashedupamongthem,hadbeengettingharderandharder.Imoved,andgroanedinvoluntarily,andsatup--andrubbedmyeyes.Therewasthewhiteschoonerlyingquietlyatanchor,hersailsallfurledandcovered,andnomovementonherdecks.Shelaysostillthatsheseemedimmovable;asfirmlyfixedasthebreakwateritself,orastheLongStone,orasoneofthedistantislands,whichswamhighinabluishhazeandflickeredinmirage.

Igotupslowly,andheardanoiseofarollingpebble;andIturned,andtherewasEvecomingalongtheshore.Iwenttomeether,andwecamebackandsatuponthebank.AndEvelookedupatmeandsmiled,andherhandwentoutslowly,andminemetit,andweputourclaspedhandsdownbetweenus.

"_Now_theycan'tsee,"saidEve."Canthey?"

Ismiledandshookmyhead.

"Anditwouldn'tmakeanydifference,"Evepursued,"iftheycould.Wouldit?Sayquickly,Adam,"shecried,shakingourclaspedhandsinmidair."Youaretooslow.Wouldit?"

"No,Eve,"Ianswered,smilingagain.IndeedIhadnotstoppedsmiling."Butwemightexciteenvyintheirbreasts,whichisasinwepraytobedeliveredfrom."

"Oh,well,"shesaid,"thereisnobodytoseebutCaptainFergus,andhehasnotbeenmarriedlong.Ilovethisplace,Adam.Doyouremember--herewereyourpebbles,inthesodjusthere.AndhereIsatwhenyouwarnedmenottospotmydress,--whenItookyoufora

fisherman,--andyoutookmeforagoverness."

"DidyouthinkIcouldforget?"

Andwefellsilent,andpresentlyEvewouldhavemerowheroutuponthewater,foritwasaswarmassummer.And,thatpleasingme,--althoughitwouldhavebeenenoughformethatIwaspleasingEve,--wewanderedtoOldGoodwin'sstonepier,andtookoneofhisboats,androwedout.AndIpaddledabout,havingnowhereinparticulartogo,andwefoundourselvesnearthegreatwhiteschooner,almostunderherstern;andIlookedup,andreadhername,Arcadia,andtherewasCaptainFergus,inhisfadedoldbluecap,lookingdownatusovertherail.Hisfacewasbronzedbysunandwindandrain,andtherewerelittlewrinklesabout

hiseyesafterthemannerofyourseafaringmen,andhiseyeswereofadeepblue--theblueofthedeepsea.TheymademethinkofOldGoodwin'seyes,althoughOldGoodwin'seyesarenotblue.

Hetouchedhiscap."Won'tyoucomeaboard?"heaskedinadeepvoicewhichmadeonethinkofrollingseasandfreshwindsandbellyingsails.

"Thankyou."Ihesitated,andlookedatEve,butshedidnotwaitforme.



"Weshallbegladto,"shesaid.Andsheturnedtome."Hurry,Adam,androwaroundtotheladder."

SoIgotusaroundtothesteps,andtherewasasailorwithaboat-hooktoholdtheboatforusandtotakechargeofit,andCaptainFerguswaitingatthegangway.AndIintroducedmyself,butEvedidnotwaitforintroductions,butsmiledathim,andsaidthatshethoughtheknewherfather.

ThewrinklesaboutCaptainFergus'spleasanteyesdeepened.

"Youareverylikehim,"hesaid.Andheledusovertotheportside,towardsomechairsfromoneofwhichhadrisenaslenderwoman,withapleasantfaceandhairbeginningtobewellstreakedwithgray,butnotmanyyearsolderthanEve.Mrs.Fergus,Ifound,hadbeenMarianWafer;hadbeenMissWaferforsolongthatshehadbecomeconfirmedinthehabitofspinsterhood,anddidnotfinditeasytogetoutofthathabitnowthatshewasmarried.

Wesettledourselvesinthechairs,andhadsomepleasant,desultorytalk;andthesunshone,nottoobrightly,throughabluishhaze;therewashardlyabreathofwindtorufflethecalmsurfaceofthebay,andpeacewasonthefaceofthewaters.Thestillnessalmostseemedtodrowseandtomakeasoftnoise,likethedistantsoundoflocustsin

August.Itsoothedus,andthetalkdied,andwesatmotionlessandinsilence,gazingoutatthedistantislandsintheirmistyblueveils,orattwotinysails,motionlesstoo,twoorthreemilesaway,or,neareryet,atanemptyexpanseofglassywater.

Suddenlyacat's-pawsweptoverthesurfacelikeabreathoveramirror,andtheshininglaunchoftheArcadiashotoutfromOldGoodwin'slanding,andcametowardusatgreatspeed;notatfortymilesanhour,forthelandingwasnotfaroff.Shewastowinganaquaplane,whichstoodverynearlyperpendicularinthewater,andIsawonemanstandingupandsteering,andtheheadsofthreeorfourpeopleshowingoccasionallyabovethedeck.Thelaunchitselfwasataprettyangle,withdaylightshowingundertenfeetofherkeel,andthrowing

cataractsoutfromeithersidelikeafireengine;andshehidherpassengersuntilsheswerved.ShewasnotbringingherpassengersaboardtheArcadia,forsheslackenedspeedandcurvedprettily,anddriftedbeforeus,almostwithinreach,andIsawthatthepeopleaboardofher,besidesanofficerandasailor,wereOldGoodwinandElizabethRadnorandanothergirl,astranger.MissRadnorandthestrangerwerecladinbathing-suits.

EvedidnotseemasmuchsurprisedasIshouldhaveexpected,andshesmiledandspoketoherfatherandMissRadnor,andhewavedhishand;andthestrangegirlarose,stoodpoisedforamomentontherail,tossedherarmshighaboveherhead,divedoverboardandstruckoutfortheaquaplane.MissRadnorinstantlyaroseandfollowed,without

botheringtopoise,andtheyhadaraceforit.Thestrangegirlswamwell,butMissRadnorhadmorepower,andshegained.

CaptainFergus'sgreatvoicerangout."Goit,Olivia!You'realmostthere.Oncemoreandmorepowertoyou!"

AndOliviaspurted,butgottolaughingandlostastroke;andElizabethRadnorcaughther,butshegottolaughingtoo,sothatbothseizedtheirgoalatthesameinstant.Theydrewthemselvespartlyuponit,buttheaquaplanesankundertheirweight,andthewaterswirledabouttheir



knees,forthelaunchwasbarelymoving.Butitbegantosurgeahead,fasterandfaster,sothatthetwogirlsfoundafirmsupportbeneaththeirfeetastheyrosecarefully.Oliviaheldtworopesfastenedattheforwardcorners,andMissRadnorsteadiedherselfbehind,withahandonOlivia.

Thelaunchtwistedandturned,andmadeloopsandcirclesandspirals,andOliviastillstoodstraight,likeaGreekcharioteer,holdingthelineswithhandsandrigidarmsthatwerebeginningtoache;butMissRadnor'skneeswerebendingmoreandmore,andshewasswaying.Andshelaughed.

"Good-bye,Olivia,"shesaid;andshedivedsidewise,andcameupagain,andwasswimmingeasily.

Thelaunchstoodinnearertotheschooner,andOliviastaggeredastheyturned;butshegotherbalance,andoncemorestoodstraight.Andthelaunchbegantotwistanddoubleandturninloopsandcircles,fasterandfaster.Oliviastooduprightfortwoorthreeturns,thenshebegantosway;andshesawthatitwasthebeginningoftheend,andshestoopedquickly,andswungherarmslow,thenhighaboveherhead,andshegaveaspringbackward,andturnedahalf-somersault--andalittlemore.

"Good!"criedCaptainFergus."Aprettybackwarddive!Olivia'sagoodswimmer--capital.AlmostasgoodasElizabeth."Heturnedtous."JustwaituntilyouseeElizabethdosomeofherstunts.Haveyoueverseenher?"

Ismiledandshookmyhead."MissRadnorseemsanextremelycompetentperson--inmanyways."

CaptainFerguslookedsharplyatmeforaninstant,thenhechuckledasthoughtherewasagoodjokesomewherewithinhail.

"Sosheis,"hesaid;"sosheis,verycompetent.She'sanableseaman.Elizabeth'sagreatfavoriteofmine,rathermoreofafavoritethan--"

"Dick!"saidMrs.Ferguswarningly.

"Eh?"HeturnedtoMrs.Fergus,andsmiledthesmilethatcrinkledallabouthispleasanteyes.Hiseyessmiledtoo,thoseeyesofdeepestblue."Iwasn'tgoingtosayanythingimprudent,Marian,onlythatElizabethisrathermoreofafavoritethansomeothersthatIcouldname.Oh,I'mnotgoingtocallanynames,Marian.Youneedn'tbescared.Marian'salwaysafraid,"hesaidtoEveandme,"thatI'mgoingtobeindiscreet,andI'veneverinmylifebeenindiscreet.HaveI,Marian?"

Mrs.Ferguslaughed."HowshouldIknow?I'venodoubtthatyouhave

been,manytimes.Youaren'tpolitic,Dick."

"Heavensaveus!"saidCaptainFergusunderhisbreath."Ihopenot.Neitherareyou,Marian.Idon'tknowofanybodylesspoliticthanyou."

Mrs.Ferguslaughedagain,merrily."Richardwasasailorforsomanyyears,"shesaid,"thathecan'tgetoutofhissailor'sways."

"Theyaregoodways,"Isaid."Don'tyouthinkso,Mrs.Fergus?"



"Theyaregoodways,"Mrs.Fergusrepeated,lookingatherhusband,"andIlikethem."AndEvesmiledacrossatme.

Thelaunchhadstoppedherengine,andwaswaitingforthetwogirls.ElizabethRadnorreachedherfirst,awhitearmshotoutofthewaterandthehandgraspedthegunwale,andOldGoodwinhelpedheraboard,andshestoodonthedeckanddripped.AndOliviacameupontheotherside,andOldGoodwinhelpedheraboard,butshedidnotstandonthedecktodrip.Shejumpedintothecockpit,anddrippedonthecushions.

"There!"Mrs.Fergusexclaimed."Ifthatisn'tjustlikehertorunstreamsofwateronthecushions.Whycouldn'tshedoasElizabethdoes,and--"

"Doesn'tmatter,"CaptainFergusgrowled."Cushionswaterproof,andthesun'lldrythetopinfiveminutes."

Mrs.Fergusmadeamotionofimpatience,andtherewasaslightcompressionofherlips.

"Iknowthatitdoesn'treallymatter,"shesaid,"alittlethinglikewettingthecushions--whentheycouldhavebeenkeptdryjustaseasily.Elizabeth--"

"Itreallyisn'tanymatteraboutthecushions,"CaptainFergusinterruptedgently."Bigcrewdoingnothing--they'llbesettoworkpresentlyscrubbingthelaunchinsideandout.What'salittlewater?Doesn'thurtanything."

Mrs.Ferguslaughedsoftly."You'dletthemdoanything,Dick,--stickpinsintoyou--"

"Ifitwouldbeanyfunforthem,"saidCaptainFergusgruffly,"IguessIcouldstandit.What'sapinanyway?"

Mrs.Ferguslaughedagain."You'dfindout.ButIwasreallythinkingofthedifferenceinthegirls.Elizabethisnaturallyconsiderate,

Oliviaisnot.Oliviaisagoodswimmer,ofcourse,andsheisprettyandsweetandattractive,butshehasdonesomeoutrageousthingsinthelastthreeyears.Nothingbad,butabsolutelyinconsiderate."Shewastalkingtousnowmorethantoherhusband."Sheswimssowellthatshejumpsin--orsheusedto--whenevershefeelslikeit,clothesandall.Why,sheeventookhermother'sparasolinwithheroneday.Itruinedtheparasol,ofcourse.Shewasalldressedupforaparty,andhadonalovelydress,withabeautifuloldribbonsash,whichwasspoiled.Luckilyherdresswasawashdress,butithadtobedoneupagain,andtheGreshamshadnomoneytowaste."Shebrokeoutinsuddenlaughter."Butitwasfunny,Dick,toseeherswimmingabout,holdingtheparasol.Doyouremember?AtsixteenOliviaGreshamwasjustapirate,andsheismoreorlessofoneateighteen.LookatJackOgilvieandthewayshe

treatshim,andheasniceaboyaseverlived."

"YoumaylookatJackOgilvienow,"saidCaptainFergusquietly,"ifyouwillraiseyoureyes.Therehecomes."

Accordinglyweraisedoureyes,allofus,andwesawnothingbutthosetwotinysailsthatIhavementioned,almostinthesameplaceinwhichtheyhadbeenforthelasthalfhour;andamotor-boat,almosthiddeninthehazeandverydifficulttomakeout,seemingtobesoaringoverthetopsofthewavestowardus.Itmusthavebeenfivemilesaway.



"But,Dick,"saidMrs.Fergus,"whereisJack?Ishe--"

"Inthatmotor-boat.Don'tyouseeit?Headon."

Hewhistledshrilly.Thelaunchhadbeenlyingidlybeforeus,herenginestopped,andMissRadnorsatuponthedeckwithherfeetdanglingovertheside.Atthewhistlesheglanceddownthebay,thenlookedaroundatusandwavedherhand.Thenshesimplystraightenedoutandslippedintothewaterfeetfirst,anddisappeared.

"CaptainFergus,"askedEve,"howcanyoupossiblytellwhoisinthatboat?Icanhardlyseetheboat."

Helaughed."Ican'ttell,"hesaid,"ofcourse,becauseIcan'tseeanyofhercrew;butIknowtheboat,andOgilvieshouldbeinit."

"Buthowcanyouknowtheboat?Onemotor-boatlooksmuchlikeanotheratthatdistance--tome."

"Idon'tknowhow,butIknowtheboat.Howdoyouknowyourfriendsasfaroffasyoucanseethem?"

AndEvelaughed,andshewentonmarvelling.ButMissRadnor,whohad

disappearedsoquietly,hadnotreappeared,andMrs.Fergusseemedtobegettinganxious.Shelookedatherhusband.

"Dick,"shebegan,"IwishElizabethwouldn'tstayundersolong.Where--"

Atthatmomentaredcapbobbeduponthesurfaceoftheglassywateralmostatthesideoftheyacht,andMissRadnorlaughedupatus.Sheswamtoaboatswingingattheboom,climbedinandupthelittleropeladdertotheboom,andsoondeck.

"Sorry,"shecalled,"todriponyourdeck,butIwanttodive."

Andshewentuptheriggingasfarasshecouldgo,whichwasnotfar--wasnotfarenough,itseemed.

"Youshouldhavethemainsailup,"shesaid."Icouldgoupontherings.Itissuchadisappointment!Iwantedtotryitfromthespreaders."

"I'llsendyouupinasling."Andforthwithtwosailorscamerunning,andunhookedahalliardfromsomewhere,andgotoutaboatswain'schair,andhookediton,andsheputherlegsthrough,andtheyhoistedheruptothespreaders.Shelookedverysmallupthere,assheheldontothespreader,andgingerlygotherselfoutofthechair,andstoodup,holdingbythestay.And,stillholdingoncarefully,shepulledonthe

halliardwithherfreehand,untiltheboatswain'schairwasfarenoughdownagaintogodownofitsownweight.Thensheedgedouttotheendofthespreader,andgotherfeetclearofthestay,thoughhowshediditIcouldnotimagine,holdingontothestaybehindherback.Butshedidit,andIcouldseehermovingherfeeteversoslightly,togettherightgrip.Then,suddenlysheletgo,andswungherarmsupslowly,andshotoutwardinabeautifulswandivethatrivalledAnnetteKellermanatherbest;andshestruckthewaterasstraightasapikestaff.Therewasnotmuchspraywhenshestruck.Itremindedmeofscalingstonesinthewayweusedtocall"cuttingthedevil'sthroat."Herslenderbody



enteredthewaterwithmuchthesamekindofanoise.

Therewasnothingshallowaboutthatdive,forshedidnotcomeupforalongtime.AtlastIsawashadowinthewatershootingslowlytowardthelaunch,andtheredcapcamefloatingtothesurfaceasifitwereonlyaredrubberballoon;andawhitearmshotout,andthehandgraspedthegunwale,andagainOldGoodwinhelpedheraboard,andshesatonthedeckanddabbledherfeetinthewater,asshehadbefore,butthistimeshesatbesideOlivia.AndJackOgilvie--ifitwashe--inhismotor-boatwasalmostin.Icouldseethecrewoftheboatprettywell,andtherewasnoneamongthemwholookedlikeOgilvie,excepttheoneinanensign'suniform,andOgilviewasnotanensign.Thentheboatwasabreastofthelaunch,andElizabethRadnorturnedherhead,andwavedandcalled,andbeckoned.

"Hello,Elizabeth!"theensigncalledinreturn,andtheboatbegantoturn."SorryIwasn'tnearertoseeyourdive,butIsawitprettywell.Youcouldn'trepeatitformybenefit,Isuppose?"

Elizabethlaughedandshookherhead."Notto-day,Jack."

SoOgilviewasanensign.Evehadnotedthattoo.

"Hemustbetwenty-one,Adam,"shewhispered,"andhemusthavehada

birthday.Iwishwehadknownit.Iwouldhavehadapartyforhim."

"Isittoolate?"Iasked.

"I'llseeaboutit,"sheanswered,smiling.EvelikesOgilvie.

Butthemotor-boathadstoppednotfarfromthelaunch.Theywerenearenoughforustohearprettywelloverthatquietwater.Ogilvie'screwtriednottoshowundueinterest.

"Hello,Olivia,"saidOgilvie,standingverystraight.Helookedratherwistful,Ithought.

"Hello,"shesaid,neitherturningherheadnorliftinghereyes.Itwastheessenceofindifference."Whatareyoudoinghere?"

Itwasmorethanindifference.ItwasasifOgilvieboredher.Mygorgebegantorise,andmycolorrosealittle,Iamafraid,andImovedmychair,sothatEvelookedoveratme.Ifelt,Isuppose,muchasCaptainFergusdid,whenhesaidthatElizabethwasmoreofafavoriteofhisthansomeothers.

OgilvieseemedtobefamiliarwiththatattitudeofOlivia's,forhesmiledfaintly,andsteppedback.

"Nothingmuch,"hesaid;"justcruising--cursingaboutthebay.Like

CaptainCook,whowentcursingaboutthePacificOcean.That'swhatyousaidinschool,Olivia.Remember?"

"IfIdon't,"Oliviaflungbackpetulantly,"itisn'tbecauseIhaven'tbeenremindedofit."

Elizabethraisedherheadandsentforthamerrypealoflaughter.

"Oh,Olivia,didyoureally?Whenwasit?Oh,that'stoogoodtokeep."



Oliviawaspickingatthedeckofthelaunch.Theremayhavebeenaspeckofdustthere.

"IsupposeIdid.ItwaswhenIwasverysmall,andtheteacheraskedmewhatCaptainCookdid,and'cruise'lookedlike'curse'tome.Butifyouevertell,Elizabeth,"sheflaredout,"I'llneverforgiveyou."

OncemoreElizabeth'slaughterrangout.

"Oh,Olivia!Itwon'tbenecessaryformetotell,butI'dalmostbewillingtobeneverforgiven."ThensheheardOgilviegiveorderstostart."Wait,Jack.Ican'tdomydiveoveragain,butOliviaandIwillshowyousomeaquaplaning.Won'twe,Olivia?"

Oliviashookherhead."Idon'tbelieveIwantto."

"Verywell,then.I'lldoitallbymyself.Iseeyou'vegotit,Jack.Congratulations!"

AtthatOlivialookedup."Gotwhat?Oh,anewuniform.CaptainOgilvie,Isuppose."

ButElizabethhadslidintothewater,andOliviaslidinfromtheothersideofthelaunch,andOgilviewaited,butthelaunchdidnot.

Elizabethwasswimmingunderwater,asseemedtobeherhabit,andthelaunchhadquitealittlewayonbeforetheredcapemerged.Shehadheardit,ofcourse,andhadcalculatedverynicely,andcametothesurfacejustastheaquaplanewasgoingby;andsheseizeditandswungherselfuponit,andlandedstandingonherfeet.Itwaslikethecentreringinacircus;anditmademethinkmoreandmoreofthatcentrering,andofgreatwhitehorsescanteringaroundit,asElizabethwentthroughthemostextraordinaryfeatsofagilityandskill,divingoffandjumpingonagainasitseemedwithbutaquirkofherwrist,makingtheaquaplanedotheworkforher.Andtoendtheexhibitionthelaunch,whichhadbeendoingamodesttenmilesanhour,wentuptotwenty-five,andtheaquaplanestoodnearlystraight,andbouncedaround,withsuddensidewisejumpsandswervesandjerks.Itwasnolongerthegreatwhite

horsecanteringaroundthering,butabalky,buckinghorsethatgaveElizabethsometrouble.Icouldseehowcarefullyshewasbalancingwithbentkneesthatgavetoeveryjump,andbroughtitbackagain.Butwhenthelaunchbegantotwistandturnandloopshecouldnotkeepherbalanceforverylong.Sheknewshecouldnot,andbeforeshehadmorethanbeguntoloseitshelaughedaloud,andshegaveaspringstraightup,andturnedbackwardintheair,andenteredthewaterbehindtheaquaplane,straightandtrue.AsabackwarddiveitsurpassedOlivia'sasyouwouldexpectthefinishedperformanceofaprofessionalacrobattosurpassthebestattemptsofanamateur.

InwatchingElizabeth'sperformanceIhadentirelyforgottenOlivia,andsohadalltheothers,unlessOgilviehadnot.Icannotspeakforhim.

Ifhehadforgottenhewasquicklytobereminded,forsuddenlyabouthalfabucketofwatershotupanddrenchedhiscapandhisnewuniform.

Hesmiledquietly,andbentforwardandlookedintothemockingeyesofOlivia.

"Thankyou,Olivia,"hesaid,thewaterdrippingfromhiscapandhiscoat."Wasthatintendedasachristening?"

Oliviamadenoreply,butturnedandswamtothelaunch.Elizabethwas



climbingaboard,andsatinheroldplaceonthedeck,herfeetdangling.

"Wasitagoodshow,Jack?"

"Itwasworthyofyou,Elizabeth.Ican'tgiveanyhigherpraise.Thankyouverymuch.Youhavegivenmeagreatdealofpleasure.Youarealwaysgivingotherpeoplepleasure.Good-bye."

Andhewavedhishandtothelaunchandthentous,andhismotor-boatwentonherbusinessuptheharbor,whateverthatbusinesswas.

CaptainFerguslookedafterhimthoughtfully.

"Now,Iwonder,"heremarked,"whyhedidn'tcomeaboard.Heoughttowanttoseeme."

Ihadgotupwithhim,andwewerestandingatthegangway.Thelaunchcamenosingaround,withthetwogirlsenvelopedinraincoats.Oliviahadrecoveredherspirits.Shestoodup,andsalutedwithastifffinger.

"Here'saloadoflumberforyou,CaptainFergus,"shesaid."Willyouhaveitaboard?Wherewillyouhaveitstowed?"

CaptainFerguslookedgrimlyather,andshookhisheadslowly,buthiseyes,lookingoutfromtheshadowoftheshinyvisorofhisoldbluecap,werepleasantandsmilingandhumorous.Thelittlewrinklesaboutthemdeepened.

"Don'tyouknowbetter,"hegrowledsternly,"thantobringmewetlumber?Ican'ttakeit.You'llhavetotakeitashoreanddryit."

"Aye,aye,sir,"saidOlivia;andshesatdown,andIregrettosaythatshegiggled.

Ihadgonedownthesteps,andIwasregardingaredrubbercapanda

dun-coloredraincoat.Theredcapwaspulledwelldownovertheears,concealingentirelythecolorsofEve'sgreatbeavermuff.Ispoke.

"MissRadnor,"Isaid,"whathaveyoudonewithBobby?"

Shelookedupquickly,andhereyesmetminefrankly.They--hers,notmine,myeyesbeingnothingtolookat,onlytoseewith;buthers--theywerehazel,Ishouldguess,andtheywereveiledmischiefastheylookedintomine.

"Bobby?"sheasked."Mr.Leverett?Oh,wetransferredhimyesterday.WetookhimdownintheArcadia.We'lltakeyousomedaysoon."

Ihavenowishtobetransferred.ButIdonotwonderthatBobbyismuchtakenwithElizabethRadnor.

V

Tillingthesoil,ifthemanwhotillsbeworkingalone,tendsto



reflection,--providedthatmanpossessethwherewithtoreflect,--anditpromotesstraightandsimplethinking,thoughtswhichmaybestraightandtrueortheymaynot;butthethoughtsofthetillerofthesoilaremorelikelytobestraightandtruethanthethoughtsofthesamemanridinginamotor-carorworkingonthetwenty-fifthfloorofanofficebuilding.Ifsuchamanbethepresidentofthecompanyitisonething;hemaybepuffedupwiththeprideofalittlebriefauthorityorhemaybethesimple,truemanthatOldGoodwinis.Hissenseofthevaluesofthingsmustbewarpedanddistortedunlesshetillsthesoilattimesordoessomethingthatisequivalent,likesailingthedeepblueoceans,wherethereissoverylittlebetweenhimandtheworkingsofnature;andIdonotmeansailingasapassengerinanoceansteamerorayacht,inwhichhewillhaveaslittletodowiththeworkingsofnatureashewouldinagreathotel.

Insuchamanthesenseofvaluesmustbedistortednearlyasmuch,thoughinadifferentway,asthatofamanwhositsatoneofaninterminablerowofdesks,onanotherfloorofthesameofficebuilding,fromeight-thirtyinthemorninguntilfiveintheafternoon,withanhourforluncheon;andknowshimselftobebutacoginahugemachine,acogwhichcanandwillbereplacedassoonasitgivesasignofrunningunsmoothly.Whatadreadfulthoughtthatyouarebutacoginamachine!Howverydreadfulitmustbetorealizethatyouaregrowingoldandarestillnothingbutacog!Howpregnantofrebellions,little

futilerebellions!Andhowitmustteartheverysoulofthatmantoknowbeforehandthathisrebellionsmustbelittleandfutile!Icanunderstandthatamaninthatstatewouldwelcomedeath;thathewouldbestoodupagainstawallandshotratherthangobacktothatdeskoftheinterminablerow--numberthirteen,itmightbe.Butthereisnobodytostandhimupagainstawall.Theywillhavenoneofhim.Heistooold.Toooldtobeshot,althoughhemayhavefightinginstinctsstirringfiercelywithinhim.Sotheytakehisson,itmaybe,andhegoesbacktohisdesk.Thereisnoescapeforhim.Theywillnotevenlethimdieasamanshouldinthesetimes.Lifeisaseriesofdisappointments,andthelastisthemostbitter.Hopetakesherselfawayuntilhecanhardlyseeherthroughthefog.

Iwasthinkingsuchthoughtsasthese,leaningonmyhoe.Ihadcomeoutearlytoworkinmygarden,andIwouldstarttheplantingofarow,andthenextthingIknewIwouldfindmyselfstanding--orsquatting,inaccordancewithmymostrecentactivity--andgazingoutoverthewatersofthebay,dreamingandmusingofthebitternessofdisappointment,oroflittlesoulsclothedwithauthority,orofOldGoodwin,andofmenlikehim--iftherearesuch.OldGoodwin'sisnotalittlesoul.ThefirsttimethatIthoughtonsuchthingsandlostmyselfinthinking,Iwasusingmywheelhoeonthegroundbetweentherowsofcornandpeasandbeans.Awheelhoeisnotathingtoleanon,butitfailsyouwhenyoumostneeditssupport,andgiveswayunderyouandbringsyourthoughtstoearthwithathump--andyouaswell,ifyouarenotusedtoitsvagariesandcareful.SoItookmyhandhoe.Itisfriendlyandwill

bearmeup.

Itwasthetwenty-sixthofMay,andIhadmuchplantingtodo,butIdidnotdoit.Ithoughtuponwhathadhappenedinthepastfewdays,andIworkedmywheelhoe.Wheel-hoeingdoesnotinterferewithmythinking.IbelieveIcoulddoitinmysleep.Ihaveonlytowalkalongslowly,andtoworkmyarmsbackandforthateverystep,andunlessthegroundisveryhardIcanthinkperfectly.Mycornshowedaslittleyellowish-greentubesaboutaninchandahalflong,justpokedthroughacoupleofdaysbefore,itwassocoldearlyinthemonth;andithas



notcomeupwell.AsIranthehoealongbesidetherow,itwasarankofsoldiers--soldiersofthefirstline.Thereweregreatgapsintheline.Therehavebeenmanygaps,andtherewillbemanymore.Ithasnotchancedtohitanyfriendsofmineyet,butitwill.

ThenIthoughtuponthereportoftendaysbefore,thatsevenGermansubmarineshadbeendestroyedatseaontheirwayoverhere.Itwasgratifyingtoknowthattheyhadbeendestroyed,butthereportwasstrangelydisquietingtome.Iftheyhadsentafleetofseven,theymightsendasmanymore.Therewasfoodforthoughtinthat.Ihadseennofurthermentionofthematterinthepapers,andmostprobablythereportwasuntrue,butitsetmethinking,andIwonderedwhethertheinformationwouldnotbeconsideredofvaluetotheenemy.Ifnoreportoftheirdestructionhadbeenpublished,Germanymightnothaveknownofitforweeks.Weeksoffreedomforusknockedintheheadbythenewspapers.

AndIwasthroughwiththecorn,andhadcometothebeans,strangegrotesque,misshapenthings,pushingoutofthegroundliketoads.Someofthemwerenotthroughyet,butwereraisinggreatclodsofearth,leavingholeswhichlookedforalltheworldliketoad-holes.Thereweretwothatlookedlikesinkingships.AndIthoughtuponthereportofagreatnavalbattle,withmanyofourshipssunk.Idonotbelieveit.Infact,IhaveheardvaguelyofadenialbyourNavyDepartment.Andmy

eyewascaughtbyaflashofscarletnearsometreesbymywall,andtherewasatanager.Istoppedmyhoeingandstoodstillandwatched.ItissomeyearssinceIhaveseenatanager.Heflewaboutinlittleshortflights,aimlesslyitseemed,fromonelowbranchtoanother,thenupontheground,thenbacktoatreeagain,payingnoattentiontomestandinglikeascarecrowinmygarden.Thenheperchedhighandsanghischeerfulsong,verylikearobin's.IfIwerenotnoticingnorthinkingaboutit,Imightthinkitarobin's--ifIgaveitathought.Ihaveheardthattanagershavebeenseenthisspringinplaceswheretheyhaveneverbeenseenbefore.Ihaveneverseenonehere,andIhopedthisonewouldstay.

Andthenthattalkingmachineofmyneighbor'sbeganrecitingsomething

inaloudvoice--"Cohenatthetelephone"orsomesuchthing--andmytanagerflewaway,andIwentsavagelytomyhoeingagain.AndIthoughtagainofthatobsolescentmanwhoistoooldtobeshot,butnottoooldtobecondemnedtoaballandchain;andwhosesontheyhavetakenwhiletheyhavescornfullyrejectedhim.Andhewouldfightiftheywouldlethim.Howhewouldfight!Forthereisnothingleftforhimbuttochoosethebestdeathhecanget.Hemaynotbefreeeventodothat.ThefatherofJackOgilviemaybejustsuchaman.Istoppedagain,andstoodholdingthehandlesofmyhoeandlookingofftosea,andthoughtofOgilvieandBobbyandJimmyWalesgoingtoandfrouponthewatersseekingthatwhichisnot.

Igraspedmyhoehandlesmoretightly,andturnedmyhead,andlookedat

thedirtbeforeme,andpushedmyhoesavagely.WhatcareIhowtheygotoandfrouponthewaters?Iwandertheshores,andIdigmyclams,andIamcontent.ButamI?AndasIhadgottothispointinmymeditations,frommyneighbor'swindowcametherichvoiceofHarryLaudersinging"BreakfastinbedonSundaymorning."Ismiledtomyself--therewasnobodytoseemeifIchosetosmileatanabsurdity--andmyhoewentmoreandmoreslowly,fortherewasnopowerbehindit.AndIlistenedshamelesslytoHarryLauder'slastwhisperandhislastmellowlaugh,sothatIdidnothearthelightstepsbehindme;butIheardthevoicethatIloved.



"Adam!Adam!"saidthevoice,chiding."ListeningtoHarryLauder--andenjoyingit!Takeshametoyourself."

AndIturned,andsawEve,andTiddawithher.Evewassmiling,andIsmiledbackather.

"Surely,Eve,"Isaid,"amanmayrestwhenheisweary.Andifmyneighborchoosetohaveatalkingmachinespoutingoutofhiswindow,Icannotstophim.IwishIcould.ImagineJudsonwithatalkingmachine!"

"Icanimagineitveryeasily.Thedearoldmanwouldhaveenjoyedit,Iamsure.Andifitgivesthempleasure,Adam--why,someofthethingsgiveyoupleasure.Youneedn'ttrytodenyit."

"Idon't,Eve.Idenynothing.Butsomeofthethingsare--"

Evenodded."Yes,"shesaid,"someofthemcertainlyare.Buttheyneedn'tbotheryoumuch."

Atthatmomentweheardagigglefromsomewhereontheothersideofthewall,andsomethingcamewhizzing.Itwasnothingbutanoldrottenpieceofwood,anditfellshort,butitstirredTidda.

"I'mgoingafterthatSandsgirl,"shecried."Sheshan'tfireoldpiecesofwoodatus."Andshesetoffattopspeedstraightforthewall.Tiddaisnotbecomingobsolescent.

Iwouldhavestoppedher.

"No,"Evesaid."Lethergo.Itcan'tdoanyharm."Shedismissedthematterfromhermind."Tellme,Adam,whatmadeyousosavageaswewerecomingup.Whatwereyouthinkingabout?"

Ilaughedrathershamefacedly."Itwasofnoconsequence,Eve.Iwasthinkingthatlife,forsomepeople,isjustonedisappointmentafteranother."ImustrememberthatEvehaspacifisttendencies.

Evelookedupatmewithsobereyes.

"Wereyouthinkingofanythinginparticular?"

"Oftheunimportantmeninagreatofficewithlongrowsofdesksandendlessroutine;especiallyofmenwhoaregrowingoldinitandcanseenoescape.Iwasthinkingofthesamething,Iremember,onWednesday,downontheshore.Itwasadrivingdrizzlefromthenortheast,andgray,withrollingseas.Itmadetheroundofanofficeseemsofutileandsouseless.IenviedJimmyandBobbyandOgilvie,offonpatrol.Iwouldhavelikedtobeonpatrolmyself."

"Wouldyou?"askedEve.Therewasspeculationinhereyes--andsomethingelsethatIhadseentherebefore.Icouldnotfathomit."Howmanyofthemenintheoffice--themenwhoaregrowingold--wouldexchangethecomfortsoftheofficeforadrivingdrizzleoutofthenortheast,andgrayandrollingseas--andamotor-boat?Notoneinten."

"ItwasthatoneIwasthinkingof."

Evelookedawayfrommeandnoddedslowly.



"Can'tyouleaveyourgardening?Comeandsitdown."

SoIleftmytoolsinthefield,asapoorfarmerleaveshistoolswherehehaslastusedtheminthefall,theploughbesidethefurrow,andthemowing-machineandthehorserakeattheedgeofthemeadow;andinthespringheissorrowful,andwondersandbemoansthewinter.AndEvetookmyhandinhers,andwewenttomygreatpineandsatusdownuponthebench.And,behindus,cameTiddaoverthewall,draggingthereluctantSandsgirl,whogiggledandheldback;andtheysatbytheholethatisscoopedinthegroundandlinedwithgreatstones,fortheywouldplayathavingaclambake.Thechatterofourdaughter'stonguewaslikeanaccompaniment;andnobodypaysanyattentiontoanaccompaniment.

"Now,Adam,"saidEve,"fortheimportantbusiness.YouknowwedecidedthatJackOgilviemusthavehadabirthday,orhewouldnothavegothiscommission.Ihavebeenmakinginquiries.Hedid;andIfindthateverybodycancomenextSaturday,probably,--aweekfromto-day."

Evelookedthoughtfulandcounteduponherfingers,whichIreleasedforthepurpose--"thesecondofJune.Doyouthink,Adam,"shewenton,"thatclamswillberipeonthesecondofJune?"

Ilaughed."Wecansee.Butmanythingswillbelackingwhichbelongtoaclambake.DoyouwantmetoissueacalltotheClamBedsProtective

Company?"

"Oh,yes,Adam.Howwillitrun?Toassemble,attheirarmory,--thatisthebankabovetheclambeds,--inuniform,witharmsandaccoutrements,anhourbeforelowtide.Whenwillthatbe?Butnevermind.AndshallItellfather?"Sheglancedtowardtheholescoopedintheground."Hewillbegladto--butmercyonus,Adam,whereisTidda?"

Shesighedandstartedtoherfeet.Ilaughed,andpointedalongtheshore.

"Stoleaway,"Isaid.TiddaandtheSandsgirlwerepickingtheirwayamongthegreatpebblesoftheshore,Tiddawithlightfeetskipping

frompebbletopebble,theSandsgirlgoingmorecautiouslyandclumsily.

Evesighedagain."Wemayaswellfollow.Thereisnoknowingwhattheywillbeuptonext."

SoIroseandweturnedtofollow,andtherewasElizabethRadnornottenstepsaway,smilingandregardinguswithfriendlyeyes.Asshedrewnearhereyeslookedgray-green,nothazel,calmandhumorousandknowing.Perhapstheyareofthechangeablekind.Ihaveseenchangeableeyesbefore.Iwouldliketoknowwhatthoughtsliebehindthoseeyestogivethemtheirpeculiarlight.AndataguessIthinkthatBobbywouldgivesomethingtoknow.Buttheywerefriendlyeyes,andtheygaveyoua

lookthatwasstraightandtrue.

"Oh,Elizabeth,"--Evehasgotthatfarwithher,whichisinherfavor.IhaveneveryetknownEvetobedeceivedinpeople--"Oh,Elizabeth,wehavetogoafterTidda,justalongtheshore.Willyoucome?Tiddaleadsusachase.Herspiritofadventurewillleadherintotrouble."

Elizabethlaughed.Weweredescendingthesteeppathtotheshore.

"I'mafraidIhadaspiritofadventureasgreatasTidda's,"shesaid;



"fortunatelynodisasterhappenedtome,althoughImusthavebeenratheratrialtomymother.AndastogoingintothewaterwhenIshouldn't--why,Iwasinthewaterallthetime--wheneverIcouldgetin.Youseetheunhappyresult.Wewerepoor,youknow;inwhatiscalledstraitenedcircumstances.MyfatherdiedwhenIwasalittletot,andweneverhadamaiduntilafewyearsago.Yougooninyourownway.Itisprettysuretoberight."

IdonotknowwhetherEvethoughtElizabethwasreferringtothepath,butsheturnedandbegantodescendagain.

"I'mgladyouthinkso,"sheflungbackoverhershoulder,"butIamnotsosure.IreallythinkthatitwouldbebetterforTiddaifshewereleftmoretoherowndevices--shehasplenty--butIjustcan'tdoit."

Wehadgotdowntotheshore,andElizabethturnedtome.

"Iamalwayssayingthings,"shesaid,"thatIdon'tmean.Itisoneoftheresultsoftoomuchfreedom."

"SoamI,"Ireplied,"andthisisoneofthem."

AndElizabethlookedatmequeerly,andlaughedsuddenly,andlookedaway.Iwonderedifsheunderstood.Iwonderedfurtherabouther.A

reputationforunconsideredspeechisthebestofprotectionsforsecrets.Ididnotbelievethatshewasgenerallyguiltyofunconsideredspeech.Andwehadcometotheclambeds,butthebankwastoowettositon,andwestoodarounduntilIfoundsomestonesthatweredry,andwesatonthestonesinarow,likethreecrows.EvesaidnothingtoTiddaandtheSandsgirl,butwatchedthemastheypulledofftheirstockings.And,Tiddahavingtroublewithhers,asusual,Evegotupfromherstoneandhelpedher.

WhileEvewasbusywithstockings,Ispoke.

"MissRadnor,"Isaid,"what--"

Shewasgazingfixedlyatthewaterovertheclambeds--therewasaboutafootofit--andherthoughtswerefaraway.Butatthesoundofhernameshestartedalmostimperceptibly,andlookedatme,andsmiled.

"MynameisElizabeth,"shesaid,interrupting."Perhapsyoudidn'tknowit.Yes,thatisahint."

Hereyeswerelikedeeppoolsunderasummersun,andallsortsofcolorsplayedoverthem,flashingandsparklinggentlyandmerrily,sothattherewasnotellingwhatdepthslaybeneath,orwhatinthedepths--excepthumor.Theyseemedtobelookingalwaysforajoke,andusuallyfindingonetoogoodtotell.WhatelsetheywerelookingforIdidnotknow,buttherewassomething.

"Thankyou,"Ireplied."Itakehintsonoccasion.AndmynameisAdam.Thatisahinttoo.Ifyoucanreconciletheuseofitwiththerespectduetoage,--toamantoooldtofight,--Ishallbeglad.Itisaveryoldnameandquiterespectable."

Shenoddedandlaughed."Thankyou,Adam.Butyouweregoingtoaskmesomething."

"Iwasgoingtoaskyou,Elizabeth,ifyouknowwhathasbecomeof



Bobby.Wehaven'tseenhimforalongtime."

Thepoolsflashedandsparkledoncemore."Whydoyouaskme?AmIBobby'skeeper?"

"Youseemedtobe.Andyoutransferredhim,andwehaven'tseenhimsince."

"CaptainFergustransferredhim.Ihavenodoubtthathewillturnupintime."

Evehadfinishedwiththestockings,andshecameandsatdownagainuponherstone,whilethechildrensplashednoisilyintothatfootofwater.Tiddahadastoutstick,andshebeganimmediatelytopokeaboutwithit.

"Whowillturnupintime?"askedEve."Whatareyoutalkingabout?"

"Bobby,"Ianswered."IwishIcouldshareElizabeth'sfaith.ImustnotifyBobby."

"Ithinkyouwillhaveanopportunity,"saidElizabeth,"ifyouhavealittlepatience."

"Iwillnotifyyoumeanwhile,Elizabeth.TheClamBedsProtectiveCompanymeetsherenextSaturdayatnineo'clock.Inuniform,witharmsandequipment.Ifyoulackanything,speaktoEve.I'msorrytomakeitquitesoearly,butthetide,youknow--andEvehassettheday."

"I'mgoingtohaveabirthdaypartyforJackOgilvie,Elizabeth.It'salittlelate,butIdidn'tknowintime,andJimmyandBobbyandOgilviecancomethen,Ithink.Iwishyou'dtellmesomethingmoreabouthim."

"AboutJack?WhatshallItellyou?I'veknownhimalways,sincehewasknee-hightoagrasshopper.He'sasgoodasthereismade.Hisfamilyarenicepeople,withaverymoderateincome,justaboutenoughtokeepthemgoing,andnotenoughtoputhimthroughcollege,althoughthey

wouldbewillingtosacrificeagooddealtodoit.ButJackpreferstoputhimselfthrough,andhewasdoingitverywelluntilhewentintothenavy.Hehasbeenpreparingforthatforayearormore.Hedoesn'tmakenearlyasmuchinthenavy,evenasanensign--butIdon'tknowaboutthat.Iguesshedoes.Anensign'spayisprettygoodforaboyoftwenty-one."

"Andhisfather,"Evepursued;"whatdoeshedo?Isheinsomegreatoffice,grindingawayforJack?"

Elizabethsmiledagain."No.Heisacountrydoctor,andaverygoodone.Idon'tknowwhatthetownwoulddowithouthim.Butacountrydoctor,youknow,can'tmakemuch."

"I'mglad,"saidEve.

"Why?Becausehecan'tmakemuch?"

Evelaughed."Gladthathe'sadoctor.IwishIcouldmanagetoswellhisincome."

TiddaandtheSandsgirlhadbeenpursuingtheelusiveclamwithsomesuccess.Tidda'shandswerefullofclamswhichshehaddugoutwiththe



stickandherhands,burrowingintothesandandmudunderthewater,andherskirtwaswet,andhersleeveswerewetnearlytotheshoulder.IcalledEve'sattentiontothatfactasshesplashedout,rantothebank,anddepositedherclamsinanoldrustytincanwithjaggededges,whichshedrewfromsomehidingplaceevidentlyinfamiliaruse.Shemusthavedonethatsamethingmanytimes,andthiswasthefirstthatweknewofit.

Eveglancedupandsmiled.

"Nevermind,Adam.Letthemhavetheirfun.I'llputdryclothesonherwhenwegethome."ThensheturnedagaintoElizabeth."AndOlivia,"shesaid,"is--"

"Ithink,"saidElizabeth,interrupting,"thatOliviaiscomingnow."

Asshespoketherewasaslightrustlinginthepaththroughthegreenery,andOliviaemergedupontheedgeofthebank.Shewassteppinglightly,diffidentandhesitating,ahandoverherheart.Itwaslikeayoungdoecomingoutofthewoods.

"Oh!"shesaid."Ibegyourpardon."

AndElizabethlaughedsilently,mostlywithhereyes;butEveroseand

wenttomeetOlivia.

"What'sthejoke,Elizabeth?"Iaskedinherear."Tellme,won'tyou?"

Sheturnedmerryeyestomine."Olivia'sthejoke,"shesaid."Ican'texplain,butifyouknewheraswellasIdo--"

Shedidnotfinish,forEvewasspeaking.

"Wewerejustthinkingofyou,Olivia."

"Howveryniceofyou!MayIcome?"

Sheadvanced--stillwiththatdiffidentandhesitatingsteplikeadoe's.Igotupandofferedhermystone.

Olivialookedstartled;butOliviahadawayoflookingstartled,soitseemed.

"Oh,"sheprotested,"oh,Idon'twanttotakeyourseat."

"Don'tfeelthatyouareputtingmetoaninconvenience,"Isaid."Thatstoneisharderthanitwas.Iamsorrythatwecanofferyounothingbetterthanastone,butitisallwehave."

AndOlivialaughedpolitely,andtookmystone,andlookedabout.

"Clams!"shecried."Ihavedugclams."

"Many?"Iasked.

Olivialookedupatmeandlaughedagain."Oh,agoodmany,"shereplied,"inallsortsofplaces;andbakedthemtoo."

"Arecruitforourcompany,"Isaid,lookingatElizabethandEve."Willyoujointhecompany?"IaskedOlivia.



"Ishallbegladto,"sheanswered."Whatisit?"

AndEvelaughed,andIexplained,andOliviaseemeddelighted.ButElizabethwasmoreamusedthanever.

"Whatisitnow,Elizabeth?"

"Oliviaknows,"saidshe.

"Elizabeth!"Oliviacriedfromherstone."Ididn'teithercomefor--"

Shestoppedsuddenly,herhandoverhermouth.

"Ifshecameforthatpurpose,Elizabeth,"Isaid,"sheistobecommended.DoyouthinkthatCaptainFergusandMrs.Ferguswouldjoin?Wouldyouspeaktothemaboutit?"

AndElizabethsignifiedthatshewould,andtherewasothernoiseinthepaththroughthegreenery,anoisewhichwassomethingmorethanarustling,andOldGoodwinappeared,andbehindhimcameBobby.WhenBobbyappeared,IlookedhardatElizabeth,butIcoulddetectnosignofconfusion.Sheissosunburnedandtannedthataflushwouldnotshowanyway.

"WhatdidyoutellmeaboutBobby,Elizabeth?"

Shelookedup."Idon'tremember.Nothingthatwasn'ttrue."

Hereyeswerefilledwithlight,butsheveiledthemquickly,andBobbywanderedovertous.OldGoodwinhadsathimdownonthebank,andTiddahadputintohishandssomemoreclamsdrippingmud,andwasaskinghisadvice,herelbowsonhisknees;andhelistenedsoberlyandwithinterest.

EvetoldBobbyofthemeetingofourcompanyforthenextweekandtheparty.

Heturnedtome."Doesn'tthatnoticehavetobeinwriting?"heasked.

Ishookmyhead."You'dbetteracceptit.Thewholecompanywillturnout.It'stobeapartyforOgilvie--birthdayparty."

AndOliviaprickedupherearsatthat,andlistenedshamelesslywhileEvetoldBobbyaboutit.

"That'sverygoodofyou,Eve,"hesaid,whenshehadfinished."I'lltellJimmy,andI'llgetwordtoOgilvie.Wecancomeunlesssomethingturnsup.Somethingmayturnup,youknow,atanyminute.Weneverknow.Ifafleetofsubmarinesshouldgetoverhere,andshouldstart

gettingcaughtinourtrapswe'dhavetogo."

"Trapsallset,Bobby?"Iasked.

"Setbutnotbaited,"hereplied."I'mlookingforbaitnow,likely-lookinglittlepigs,Adam,andforsomebodytofeed'em,andkeep'emsquealing.Itwouldbeinterestingwork,andapleasantsaileveryday.Ifyouwerereallypatrioticyou'dbegladtodothatmuchforyourcountry.Butyouwon't.Iseeitinyoureye.I'llhavetodoitmyself."



Andheheavedaprodigioussigh,andturnedtoElizabethandOlivia,andhebegantotalklightlywiththem;andOlivia'sfacewasalleagernessandlightandgentleness.Shewasbeautifulso.Bobbynoticedit,andsmiledather,andtalkedtoherforaminuteorso,andshelistenedinasortofsilentrapture,whichElizabethobserved.AndBobby,glancingatElizabeth,sawthechanginglightinthosetwodeeppools,andsawherhalf-smileofamusement,andforgotwhathewassayingtoOlivia,andstopped.

"Youknow,MissRadnor,"hesaid,forgettingtherestofus,"Ihavetogoinhalfanhour."Itwasasortofchallenge.

Shenodded,stillsmilingthathalf-smileofamusement."Iknow."

"Well?"

ThereuponEverosequietlyfromherstone,anddraggedOliviaupfromhers,muchagainstherwill,andtheywanderedofftoseethechildrenattheirclamming;butshegavemeasignificantlookasshewent.SoIobedientlydriftedoffalongtheshore.Iwassorrytogo,forIwouldhavelikedtohearwhatfollowed.AndIdriftedbackagain,andtoandfro,likeashadow,butalwaysBobbywastalkingearnestlytoElizabeth,andElizabethlookedupatBobby,andlaughedandshookherhead.Andat

lastElizabethrose,andtheytwowanderedoffdowntheshoretowardOldGoodwin'sstonepier.IcaughtawordortwoofBobby'sastheywent.Ithoughthewasaskingherwhatshewas."Whatareyou?"wasallIheard;andshereplied,veryprobably,thatshewasateacherofswimminganddancing.Andsheturnedandwavedherhandtous,andtheyweregone.

ThenEvestirred,andcalledTidda,whocamehuggingcloseheroldtincandrippingmuddownuponherdress.Oliviawasalreadyonthepathtothegreathouse,butOldGoodwinturnedback.

"Adam,"hesaid,smiling,"Ihaveretiredfrombusiness.Ithoughtyoumightliketoknow.Itseemedasgoodatimeasany."

ItwaswhatIhavebeenurginguponhimthesetenyears.

"Therewillbeenoughtokeepmeoccupied,"headded,answeringmyunspokenquestion."AmatterthatIhaveinmind.Iwilltellyouaboutitsoon."

Andheturnedagain,andwasgoneupthepath.

IwalkedwithEvealongtheshore,andIwondered.ImusthavebeenmistakeninthosewordsofBobby's.Howcouldhehaveaskedherthat?

VI

OnthatseconddayofJuneitbefellthatIwasstirringearly,andIwasoutatdawn,forIhadmuchtodo;butIdidnotdoitthen,asIhadmeant.WhenIwascomeoutintothefreshbreathofmorning,andwaswalkingoverthedewygrasstomyshed,ofasuddenmysoulwasdrenchedwiththesenseofagreattruth,evenasmyfeetandlegsweredrenchedwithdew.Andthetruthwasthis:Allworkisuseless.Itisbutawaste



oftimethatmightbebetterspentinwatchingthesuncomeupthroughthemistsofmorningtoruleoverhiskingdom;orinseeinghimsinkbehindthebeardedhillsinthegoldenhazeofevening.Ateithertimetheoldearthisatpeace,andthewatersstilledorjustwaking,butthedawnisthebetter.Iwouldcontemplatethemajestyofthesunriseandconsideruponit.Itrestorethmysoul.

Somycaresslippedfromoffmyshouldersasagarment,andIturnedmystepstothesteeppath,andcametotheshore,andoverthesandandpebblestomyclambedsatthepoint;andIhurried,forIwouldnotmisstherisingofthesun.ButIdidmissit,andsawthesunshiningthroughathickhaze,withhisloweredgejustrisenoutofthesea.Thetidewashigh,andthewaterswhisperedgentlyatmyfeet,andstretchedawayinallmannerofopalescentcolorsuntil,towardthesouth,theywerelostinatenderpearl-graythatseemedtocovereverything.

Oneneedstobealoneatsuchatime;aloneorwithoneother.AndEvehadnotdivinedmyintentionanymorethanIhad,butshehadbeensleepingsweetly,withonewhitearmcurvedaboveherheaduponthepillow,andshehadsmiledinhersleep,andIhadwithdrawncautiouslyandquietly.ShesupposedthatIwouldbeworkingatmypreparations.Working!AndIlaughedsilentlytomyself.ButIwishedthatIhadknownwhatIshoulddo.Perhapsshewouldnothavemindedbeingwaked.

SoIstoodthere,scarcelymoving,lookingoutintothattenderpearl-gray,untilthesunwashalfanhourhighormore.Someofthemagicwasgone,andIknewthatitwastobehot;hotandmoistandsticky.Andafishermancrawledoutintothebay,andthenanother,theirsailshanginginwrinkles.Theywerenotafraidofsubmarines.Whocouldbeafraidofsubmarinesinthatquiet,opalescentwater,thatpearl-grayhaze?Submarinesthere!

Ilaughedandturnedaway.Worknolongerseemedsouselessawasteoftime.Imustbeatmine.Therearemanythingstobeseentobesidesthediggingofclams.Imarchedbackalongtheshore,andupthepath,andthroughthewetgrass.Thegrassmustbecut.UsuallyIkeepitcut,butthereisadearththisyearofmenwhoworkbytheday,andIcangetno

mantohelpme.WhatisdoneIshallhavetodomyself.

SoIcametotheholescoopedinthegroundjustwithouttheshadowofmypine,andIcleareditout,theaccumulationofthewinter,downtotheliningofgreatstones.AndIbroughtouttheplainwoodenbenches,andthegreatpineplankslaidonwoodenhorses,toserveastables,andIsetthemintheirplaces,andIrubbedthetopsofthetablestilltheywereallshiningwhite.Andabigwagoncamewithaloadofseaweed--rockweed--allfreshandwetanddripping,itslittlebrownbladderssoftandswollen,andtheloadofwetweedwasdumpedinaslipperypile.Therewerechickensalsotocome,andlobsters,andfish,whateverkindsthefishermenbroughtin,butnobluefishcaughtinthebaythesemanyyears;andmanyloavesofbrownbread.Butallthose

thingswouldcomelater,andIhadnoconcernwiththemsavetobakethem--butnotthebrownbread.SoIlookedabout,andseeingallthingsdonethatweretodoatthattime,Iwentintobreakfast.

Iwasrestless,anddraggedEveout,andwewentprowlingalongtheshore,althoughityetlackedanhourofthetimesetfortheassemblingofourcompany;buttherewasOldGoodwinleaningagainstatreeabovetheclambeds,gazingoutoverthewater.

Ifollowedhisgaze,andIsawhisoceansteamerlyingthere,atanchor.



Shehadcomeinsincesunrise,forthewaterthenhadbeenemptyofsteamyachts.Andmenwereswarmingoverherrailandweregettingsettleduponstagings--planks--thathungthere.

OldGoodwinturnedtous."Good-morning,"hesaid,smilinghisquietsmileofpeace.

"Good-morning,"Ireturned."Itseemslikeafternoontome.Itisalongtimesincesunrise.Yourboatwasn'ttherethen.Whataretheydoingtoher?Paintingagoldbandaroundher?"

Hesmiledoncemore."Nogold,"hesaid."Sheneededpaint.Ithoughtthatgraywouldbeagoodcolor.Itwearswell,anddoesn'tshowbruises."

"Hehasgivenhertothenavy,"Evewhispered.Hereyeswereshining.

"IthoughtImightaswell,"saidOldGoodwinasifapologizing."IhavegivenupNewYork--foratimeanyway--andshallnotneedher.ThatisthematterIspokeof.Ishallwantyouradvice,Adam."

"Now?"Iasked."Itisrathersudden."

Helaughed."Notnow.Thereishardlytime.TherecomestheArcadia."

Ihadseenherloomingthroughthehaze.Sheseemedtobecomingrapidly,andtherewaslittlewind.Imentionedit.

"Fergushadamotorputinherthisyear,"OldGoodwinanswered."Hehatedto.Saiditwasspoilingabeautifulboat,buthehadtodoit."

Thentherewasanoiseupthepath,andTomEllisappearedwithCecily.

"Hello,people,"hesaid."Arewethefirst?Iwasafraidwewouldbe,butIcouldn'tholdCecilyanylonger."

Cecilysmiled."Don'ttakeanynoticeofhim,Eve,andhe'llrundown

prettysoon."

"And,"Tomwenton,"Cecilycouldhavepaintedforanotherhalfhourandearnedfiftydollarsmore.YouseewhatasacrificeIhavemadeforyou."

"Andyourcountry."

"Countrycomesfirst,doesn'tit,Adam?Oughtto,butI'mafraidtheclamshadagooddealtodowithit.Whatdoyouthinkofmyuniform?"

TomhadontheworstlookingclothesthatIhaveeverseenonarespectablemanwhodidnowork.Theyweresoakedwithamixtureofoil

andgreaseanddirt,andspatteredwithmud,whichcoveredthemingreatpatcheshereandthere,andonesleeveofhiscoatwastornnearlyoff.Itlookedasifamachinist,inhisoilyjumper,hadrolledinwetclay.Hisrubberbootswerethoseofamixerofmortarandconcrete.

"Iamlostinadmiration,Tom,"Isaid."Theotherswillhardlybeabletoequalthat."

"No,"Tomreturnedproudly;andhethrewdownhisrake.Hehadbroughtaninstrumentverylikeapotatodigger,ashort-handledrakewithhuge



tines."Theonlyprivate,youknow.Ithoughtmyuniformoughttohavedistinction.CleanedupMr.Goodwin'scarsforthepurpose."OldGoodwinlaughedsuddenlyatthat."ThenIwhitewashedthehenhouse,withthisartisticresult.It'squitefunwhitewashinghenhouses.Evertryit,Adam?Diditwithapumpandhose.Whitewashonthewindowsisaninchthick."

Ilaughed."Ihavehadthatpleasureinthedistantpast,andIdon'twantanymoreofit.Butyouhavenotaccountedforthemud."

Tomsurveyedthemudandshookhishead.

"Can'taccountforit,"hesaid."Haven'tbeennearanymud.Ican'timaginehowitgotthere,unlessCecilyborrowedtheclothes.Butthisparty,Adam,isasortoffarewellpartyforme.I'veenlisted.Igoto-morrow."

"Goto-morrow!"Icried."Where?Andwhathaveyouenlistedfor?"

"Thatissomewhatambiguousasaquestion,butIwillanswerallitsmeanings.I'veenlistedbecausemycountryneedsme.Alltheposterssayso.Thatoneoftheoldgentlemaninthestar-spangledhatlookingrightatyouandpointingrightatyou,andsaying,'YourcountryneedsYOU,'orwordstothateffect,waswhatgotmefinally.Icouldn'tget

awayfromit.Hewaspointingatmeandlookingatme,whereverIwent.AndI'veenlistedforfouryears,and--"

"Four_years_!"gaspedCecily,wide-eyed."Younevertoldmethat,Tom."

"Didn'tI?Itmusthavebeenanoversight,Cecily.Youwon'tmind,willyou?AndI'veenlistedtogotoNewportanddrivesomeadmiralorotheraroundinalargegraycar.Oh,it'snothalfbad.WhenthesubmarinesbegintoschooloffNantucket,perhapsthey'llletmegooutthereonceinawhileandgetaload."

"Tom,"saidEve,pattinghisarm,hereyesshiningagain,"Ithinkit'ssplendid.Icouldkissyouforit."

"Wait,Eve,untilCecily'snotaround,"Tomwhispered;"andperhapsAdamcouldbespared._Then_,ifyoulike--"

"I'mgoingtoNewportto-morrow,"Cecilybrokeindecidedly."I'mgoingto_live_there."

"Oh,Isay!"saidTom.AndOldGoodwinofferedtotakethembothovernextdayinhisnewcar,andletTomdrive.AndheofferedfurthertoferryCecilybackandforthasoftenassheliked,andtolendthemacariftheywished.

Soeverybodywashappy,--exceptingperhapsTomandCecily,--andthe

Arcadiawasjustroundingtoheranchorage,andwewatchedwhiletheshiningmahoganylaunchputoff.But,beforecomingin,thelaunchwentslowlyalongthewholelengthofOldGoodwin'soceansteamer.IcouldseeCaptainFerguslookingattheworkasthoughhewereinspectingit,andonceheboomedforthaquestion,whichwasansweredasifhehadarighttoaskit,andthenthelaunchmadeforthelanding.

Iwonderedatit,butIwonderedmoreatEve.ForEvehaspacifistleanings,asIhavereasontoknowandasIhavesaidbefore;andhereshewaswithallthesignsofapprovalforTom'saction,andreadyto



kisshimforit.ItmightbethatEvewasentirelywillingthatthewarshouldbefoughtvicariously,andthatshewouldsacrificeallherfriendsinthecause--butnotherfamily.ThatwasnotlikeEve.Irefusedtobelieveitofher.AndIturnedawayandwasmusinguponthismatterwhentherecamedownthepathCaptainFergusandMrs.Fergus,andJimmyWalesandBobbyandOgilvie;and,somedistancebehindthem,ElizabethandOlivia.Andthatwasstrange,too,thatthosetwogirlsshouldbecomingbythemselveswhenBobbyandJackOgilviewerejustahead;butIcouldnotbebotheringmyselfaboutallthequeerthingsthatpeopledid--ordidnotdo.Theydidnotconcernme.Therewereenoughthingsthatdidconcernmetobotherabout.

Allthecompanywerethere.IdrewneartoEve.

"IfAliceCarbonnelwereherenow,"Isaid,"andHarrison,weshouldbecomplete."

"Alice!"Evereturned."IwishthatIknew!"

AliceCarbonnelwasinBelgium,thelastweknew,andHarrisonRindge,herhusband,washuntingforher.Ihopehehasfoundher--safe.WeareveryfondofAliceCarbonnel,EveandI.

"Thereissomebodyelsetocome,Adam,"saidEve."Youwouldnever

guess.Itismymother."

Ismiled,rememberinganotherdaywhenIhadmetEvejustatthatspottotakehertoanotherclambake;asmokingdomeuponapoint,beneathapine.

ThepointandthepinebelongedtoaqueerfellowthatIknew--knewwell,Ithoughtsometimes,andsometimesnot.

AndsoIsmiled,remembering."Eve,"Isaid,"dogovernesseshavemothers?"

Andshesmiledtoo,andsheslippedherhandwithinmyarm,andlooked

upatmewiththatlightinhereyesthatmakesthempassallwonders.

"Oh,Adam,"shesaid,"thatwasahappyday--forme.Oh,butitwashard,andIwasafraid."

"Ahappierdayforme,"Isaid,pressingherarmclosetomyside."Butherecomesyourmother."

AndMrs.Goodwincamesailingdownthepath,withourlittledaughterskippingbesideher,andshesmiledasshecame,whichwasnotwhatshehadbeenusedtodointhattimethatIremembered.Andourcompanybeingallassembled,andthebedsbeinguncovered,althoughthetidewasnotyetatitslowest,Igavetheordertodig.Sowedug,evenMrs.

Goodwindiggingthreeclams,andshewasnotcladasaclammershouldbeclad,butshehadsomerubberboots,newonesandthinasgossamer,whichaclamshellcutthrough.Andthereaftershesatuponthebankandcheereduson,andgibedatourraiment;asifthebodywerenotmorethanraiment.

Wedugforanhour,andgotclamsenoughforaregiment.Allthebasketswerefilledtooverflowing.Andwestoppeddigging,onebyone,andstraightenedourbacksslowly,withmanycreaksandgroans,andwedriftedtothebankandinandout;andwhenthedriftingprocesswas



over,IfoundmyselfnexttoEve,withElizabethontheothersideofher,andOgilviecompletingthecircle.Bobbystoodafaroff,lookingoutoverthewaterasifhewereseeinghisbestfriendswallowedbyasubmarine;andOliviawatchedhimfromadistance.

"Inotice,Jack,"Elizabethobserved,"thatOliviahasalonesomelook."

Ogilvieturnedandlooked,andturnedbackagainandsmiled.

"Shehas,hasn'tshe?Bobbytoo."

Elizabethneverquivered."Don'tyouwanttorelieveherloneliness?"

Heshookhishead."_I_couldn'trelieveit.Itoldyou.I'lltrylater--herlastchance."

Elizabethlaughed.Iwaspickingupabushelbasketfilledwithclams.Clamsareaheavyfruit.Ogilvieseizedonehandle.

"Here!"criedElizabeth."I'mgoingtotakethatside.IwanttohelpAdam.YougowithEve,Jack.Shehassomethingforyoutocarry."

Ogilvieprotested,andsodidI,butshewasfirm.

"Iwanttogowithyou,Adam.Youneedn'tthinkIcan'tcarrymyside,forIcan."

Sowesetoff,EveandJackOgilviewithamarketbasketofclamsandvarioushoes,andElizabethandIcarryingthatbushelofclamsbetweenus.Elizabethwasstrong,Ifound,andsure-footed;surerthanI.Theotherscamestragglingafter,carryingtheirloads.

"Elizabeth,"Ibegan,"whatisthematterwithBobby?"

ShesmiledandturnedtoobserveBobby."I'msureIdon'tknow.HeseemstobewelloccupiedwithOlivia."Thenshechangedsuddenly."Thatwasnothonest,Adam,"shesaid."Idoknow,butitisnothingthatIcan

help.Hewillgetoveritintime--perhaps.Iwishhewould,foritisnotamusingasitis."

Andshesighedsoftly,andthenshesmiledupatme.Itwasabraveattempt,andalmostasuccess.

"AndOgilvie?"Iaskedsoftly.

Shelaughed,andspokelow."Jackhasfoundalittleyeogirl.Hewastellingmeabouther.Sheistheloveliestthingthateverwas,andthesweetestandthegentlest.Shemaybeallthat,ofcourse,buttherearesomelovely,sweet,andgentlegirlsofhisownkind.But,atanyrate,Oliviaisnothingtohimnow.Ithasdonehimthatmuchgoodalready."

Iwassilent,thinking.IwonderedhowIshouldlikeitifPukkie,beingofageandhisownmaster,shouldelectayeogirltothehighplaceinhisregardnowheldbyhismotherandme;shouldelecttheyeogirltoahigherplace.Itwouldbeablow.Icouldnotdenyit.Butwehadbeenascendingthesteeppath,andwesetourbushelofclamsbesidetheholelinedwithstonesandtheslipperypileofbrownrockweed.Isighedaswesetthebasketdown,andsodidElizabeth.Thenwebothlaughed.



"I'mgladthat'sdone,"saidElizabeth.

"Amen!"saidI.

ThencameTomEllisandCecily,andsettheirbasketdown;andTom,withoutstopping,wenttomypileofcordwood,andbroughtanarmfulandlaidthesticksinorderonthestones.

"Come,Adam,"hesaid,soberly."Remember,it'smylastclambakeforfouryears."

"Don'tsayit,Tom!"criedCecilysharply."I'llhelpyouwithyourwood."

Sotherewasaprocessionofusgoingtothewoodpileandback,andthestickswerelaidinorder,threelayers,onthestones;thenanotherlayerofgreatstones,eachstoneasbigasafootball,onthetopofthewood.ThenIcamewithacanofkerosene,andsprinkledthewoodliberally.Evehadsomematches,andsheheldoneouttoOgilvie.

"Lightup,Ogilvie,"saidTom."It'syourhonor."

AndOgilvielightedthepile,andTommadesomefeeblejokeaboutafuneralpyre,andCecilyalmostwept;andthefireblazedupfiercely,

andwealldrewback.Itwashotenoughwithoutthefire,andwouldhavebeenalmostunbearablebutforthesouthwestbreezewhichhadstartedup,andwhichwassweepinggently,overmybluff.Andwewatchedthefire,asanyonewillwatchanyfire--thereisfascinationinit--buttheybegantodriftaway--togetofftheirrubberbootsandtopreparethemselves.Nodoubttheywouldhavefastediftherehadbeentime.AndatlasttherewereleftonlyOldGoodwinandTomandOgilvieandI.Evehadgoneintothehousetofetchthethings,andCecilyandElizabethwithher.

Whenthefirehadburnedlongandthestoneswerehot,werakedtheashesoff;andshookdownuponthestonesfreshseaweedfromthepile,andontheseaweedlaidtheclams.Thenmoreseaweed;andtheother

things,inlayers,orderly,withtheclean,salt-smellingweedbetween;thentheloosestones,hotstonefootballs,andoverallwepiledtheweedandmadeadomethatsmokedandsteamedandfilledtheairwithincense.Andtheothers,havingrestedfromtheirlabors,leaningontheirforksorsittingontheground,wenttheirseveralways;fortheywouldgarbthemselves.

Evedidnotplaceherguests.Sheconsidered,aprettythoughtfulnessinhereyesandabouthermouth,andcastherplace-cardsinalittleheaponthetable,sayingthattheymightplacethemselves;forshedidnotknowwhatwasgoingon,andfearedtomakeabadmatterworse.

Theydidplacethemselves,aftermuchhesitationanddriftingabout.

Elizabethsatnexttome.Sheseemedtothinkmeakindofrefuge.AndOgilviesatatEve'sright,--shesawtothat,--andOlivianextbecauseshecouldnothelpit,andthenBobby.Wheretherestsatdidnotmatter.AndOldGoodwinandTomandItookourforksandopenedthesmokingdome,andsetuponthetablechickenandfishandlobstersandbrownbread,andgreatpansofclamssteamingintheirgapingshells.Thenallwouldhavesetthemselvestothebusinessofeating;butIhadmyinstructions.Itookanolddust-encrustedbottlefromEve'splace,andopenedit,andwentaboutandpouredintotheglassesluminousgoldenstufffromthatoldbottle.ThenEverose,andproposed



Ogilvie'shealth.Andwealldrankit,butOgilvieflushedanddidnotknowwhattodo.

"Oh,"hesaidtoEve,"Ineverhadthatdonetomebefore."

Andwealllaughed,andfelltoeating.Weopenedtheclamswithourfingers,andtooktheclambythehead,andgavehimaswirlinthesaucerofmeltedbutter,andthrewourheadsback,andtookhisbodyintoourmouths,andbithimoffandcasttheheadaside,andtookthenextone.Alltherehadhadmuchexperienceintheprocess,andtheclamsthathadseemedenoughforaregimentweresooneaten,andtherewasaprodigiouspileofshellsunderthetablesothatonecouldnotmovehisfeetwithoutrattling.Andthelobstersweregone,andthechickens,andmostofthefish,andmuchofthebrownbread.Andfirstonesatbackwithasigh,andsmiled,andthenanother;andatlastallweresitting,smilingatnothinganddoingnothingelse--allbutBobbyandOlivia.Bobby,itistrue,hadasmilegravenuponhisface,butitwasasmileofthefaceandnotoftheheart;andOliviaseemedoutofsortsanddidnottakethetroubletosmileatall.Andthebakewasbutanemptywreck.ThenEverosequietly,andtheyallgotthemselvesslowlyupontheirfeet,andbegantodriftaboutthebluff.

Myplaceisnotverybig,onlytheclippedlawninfrontofthehouse,andaboutanacreonthesouthsideendinginthebluff,andacouple

ofacrestothenorth,whereliesmygardenandtherestahayfield.IshouldhaveploughedupthathayfieldandputitintopotatoesifIcouldhavefoundanybodytodotheploughing.Butitisjustaswellasahayfield.Everybodyhasbeenplantingpotatoesthisyear.IalmostexpecttoseethegutterssproutingpotatoesasIridealongwithOldGoodwininhiscar.Potatoeswillbecheapnextwinter.AndifIhadploughedupthatfielditwouldhavebeenevenlessinvitingforourgueststowanderover.

Notthatanyofthemshowedanydispositiontowanderoverit.Theolderonesseemedwellcontenttosettledownagainundermypine,Bobbywasmooningaloneattheedgeofthebluff,ElizabethwasstandingtalkingwithJimmyWales,andJackOgilviewastryingtopersuadeOliviatowalk

toalittleclumpoftrees.IhadseenEveshowinghimtheclumpoftreesearlierintheday.Atlasttheydidwalkofftowardthetrees,OliviaobviouslydiscontentedandwatchingBobbyoutofthecornerofhereye.

IdriftedtowardEve,andshedriftedtowardme,andwecametogether,whichmightbereprehensiblebutwasnotstrange.Wegenerallydocometogether.Shewascladallinlight,filmywhite,withtworedrosesatherbosom,andherhairaglory.Andhereyes--therearenoothersucheyesashers.

"Eve,"Iwhispered,"doyouwanttobedisgraced?HowcanyouexpectanythingelsewhenyoudressasyoudidforthatotherclambakethatI

remember,andyoureyessmiling,andthatlightuponyourhair?"

Itwasmorethanhereyesthatsmiledasshelookedatme.

"Yes,"shewhisperedinreturn."Iwanttobe.Shan'tIshowyouourclumpoftrees?"Shelaughedasshefinished.

Ihesitated."ButOgilvie--andOlivia."

"Stupid!"shesaid."Ididnotshowhimeverynook.Come!"



Sowewanderedabout,butwebroughtupatasecludednookinourclump,andEveheldupherfacetomine.ButwhenIhaddoneitsheputherfingeronmylipsandlistened.

"Sh!"shebreathed.AndIsh-sh-ed,andheardOgilvie'svoice,butIcouldnotdistinguishanywords.ThencameOlivia'svoice,shrillandpetulant.

"Theyarenothavingagoodtime,"Evewhispered.

"Heis,"Ianswered;forOgilvielaughed.Itwasamerrylaugh.

"Wedon'twanttosnoop,Adam,"saidEve."Let's--"

"Shallwejointheothers?"Ogilvieasked,stilllaughing.

"_You_mayifyoulike,"saidOliviainavoicefilledwithdiscontent.

"Andleaveyouhere?"

"Andleavemehere.I'lltakecareofmyself."

"Verywell.Good-bye,Olivia.Imaynotseeyouagain."

"Notseemeagain?Youmeanto-day?"Wassheregretting?

"Imeanforagreatmanydays.Perhapsnever."

"Areyougoingaway?"

"Ican'ttellyou.IgowhereIamsent.Good-bye."

Therewasasilence.Then,aswestoleout,thesoundofasinglesob.Thensoundsofanger.AsweemergedfromonesideOliviaemergedfromtheother.ShemadestraightforBobby,whereheyetstoodontheedgeofthebluff,lookingsilentlyoverthewater.

Amaidcamerunningoutofthehouse,andwenttoJimmyWales,andcalledhimtothetelephone.Intwominuteshecamehurryingoutagain.

"Bobby!"hecalled."Jack!Comealong.It'sahurrycallfortheNantucketlightship.We'llgowithyou,Jack.Justasyouare."

Hewhisperedtomeashepassed."SubmarinesreportedofftheNantucketlightship,"hesaid."Alltheavailabledestroyersandchasersorderedthere."

Elizabethwasstandingnear,andsheheard.JackandBobbyandJimmystartedonarun.

"Good-bye,Jack,"Elizabethcalledinaclearvoice.

Heturnedandwaved.

"Good-bye,Bobby,"shecalledagain,buthervoicewasnotsoloud.

Heturned."Good-bye,"hesaid.Itwaslikecastingatherheadachunkofice.Icewouldnotbethemostdisagreeablethingonthatday,butonewouldpreferitinsomeotherwaythanthrownathishead.Elizabeth



seemedtothinkso,forsheshruggedhershouldersalmostimperceptibly,andIsawtearsinhereyesassheturnedaway.

CaptainFergushurriedaftertheothers,andourotherguestsmeltedaway.Ifoundmyselfstandingattheedgeofthebluff,justwhereBobbyhadbeenstanding,andIgazedoutoverthewatersofthebay--asifIcouldseetheNantucketlightship!Ogilvie'sboatshotoutatfullspeed,andIwatchedheruntilshewasagrayspeckvanishingintothegrayness.Gazingoutandseeingnothing,andthinkingofsubmarines!Itwasabsurd.Theyarenot,andyettheyhauntme.AndIlookeddownatthelittlestripofmarshatthefootofmybluff,itswavinggreensturnedtoorangeundertheafternoonsun.Ablackbirdwasflyingoverthosegreenstemswavinginthewater.Thetidewasfull,andtheGreatPainterspreadhiscolorsonthelittlewaves.Itbreathedpeace,andherewasIthinkingofsubmarines.Icannotgetridofthem.Whatifoneofthesereportsturnouttobetrue?Why,anythingmightbehappeningoutbythelightship.

AndIsawtheredshouldersoftheblackbirdasheflew.Helightedonareedstem,whichswayeddownnearlytothesurfaceofthewater;andsoswayingupanddown,hesentouthisclearwhistleagainandagain.Heisnottroubledbythethoughtofsubmarines.Hisheartisnotinturmoiloverthem.

VII

Overmyhayfield,thatmorningtowardthelastofJune,apleasantbreezewasblowing,andfromthesouthwest,asisthehabitofbreezeshereabout.Amancladinwhiteflannels,andwanderingslowlyabout,wouldhavefoundthathayfieldcoolenoughandpleasant,Ihavenodoubt.Ifounditpleasant,butnotcool,forIwasmowing.ForweeksIsoughtsomeone--anyone--whowouldcutmygrass,andcutitinJune,forIhaveaprejudiceinfavorofJuneforcuttinghay.Inthelast

weekofJunethegrassisinfullflower--tinyblossomsofapalevioletcolor--andthestemsareswollenwiththejuices,andrichandtender.I,inmyignorance,believethatitmakesmoresucculenthaythanifcutinJuly,whenthestalkshavebeguntodryupandbecomethinandwiry.Besides,ifitiscutinJuneitisoutoftheway,andIcanusemyhayfieldforaball-fieldifIamsominded.

Iamnomower,andIhavenotknownwhatascytheshouldbe.Iwasdimlyawarethatmyoldscythewasnoteverythingthatcouldbedesired,forIrememberthatwhenItookittobegroundthemanapplieditlightlytohisstone,thenharder,thencursedandboreonwithallhismight,andcursedagainandsweatedforhalfanhour,andchargedmetencents,holdingthescytheouttomeasifheneverwantedtoseeitagain.He

observedthatitwasthehardestscytheheeversee;andIsmiledandthankedhim,andthoughtnomoreofthematter,andwalkedoffwithmyscythe.AndIstruggledwiththatscythefortenyears,neverbeingabletokeepitsharp,andspendingmuchmoretimewiththewhetstonethanIdidinmowing,butIdidbutlittlemowing,onlytrimmingaroundhereandthere.Inever_got_thescythesharp.Iknowthatnow,butIdidnotknowitthen,attributingthefaulttomyownlackofskill.

Igotanewscythetheotherday,beingunwillingtowhetthroughtwoacres.Icangetitassharpasarazorinhalfadozenstrokesofthe



stone.WhenItriedittheotherafternoon,justbeforedinner,Ifoundmyselflaughing,andIshouldhavegoneatthehayfieldthenifEvehadnotstoppedme.NowIgoaboutwithmyscytheinmyhand,andhuntforclumpsofgrasstallenoughtocut,forthehayfieldisshorncloseandtolerablysmooth,andthegrassliesinthesunandgivesoffallmannerofsweetodors.

Themowingofthathayfieldwiththatnewscythewassimplyajoy--adelight.Iswungtoandfrowiththerhythmicmotionofrowing--mowingisnotunlikerowing,andoneswingsaboutthirtyormoretotheminute--withmyeyesontheground,andIlistenedtothesounds:asoftrippingwithalittlemetallic_ting_asthescytheadvanced,andagentle_swish_asitswungbackagain.Yes,mowingisadelight--withagoodscythe;butitisahotsortofamusement.IfIcouldregulatemattersmowingtimeshouldfallinNovember.Allmowingshouldbedonebyhand,andmowingshouldbecompulsoryforallable-bodiedmen.Theywouldbethebetterforit.

Istoodforafewminutes,leaningonmyscytheandlettingthebreezeblowthroughmeandgazingdownthebay.ThenIwentatmymowingagainandthescythesanganewsong.Itwas_sub--marine;sub--marine_,overandover.AndIkeptatmymowingmechanicallywhileIthoughtmythoughts.TherehadbeennoreportsofsubmarinessincethedayofEve'sparty,andnothingfurthersaidofthereportofthatday.EvenBobby

wouldsaynomorethanthattheydidnotfindany;andwhenIwouldhaveralliedhim,remarkingthatIfearedhehadnotbaitedhistrapsproperly,hegloweredatme,whichhurtmyfeelings.ItwasnotlikeBobbytoglower.ButBobbyseemedtormentedbythatrestlessnesswhichseizesonmeninacertaincase.Ididnotlaughathim,forIfearedlesthetakeitbutill,butIdidcounselhimtotaketoclamming;atwhichhegavemeasmilethatwouldhavebroughttearstoEve'seyes.Hehasnotyetfoundthatfountofeternalyouth,andwhetherhewillfinditornotnoonecanguess.Ihopehewill,andthatjoyandpeacewillbeinhisabidingplaceforever.Andtheonewhoshouldshowhimthefountisnotfartoseek,ashewellknows;but,asIthink,andEvetoo,heisstubbornandcherishessomefanciedgrievance,huggingittohisheart.Thepoorfool!

ThenIstoppedmowing,andstraightenedmyback,andrested.And,onasudden,thattalkingmachineofmyneighborbeganpouringforthastridentvoice,andIlookedandtherewasthelittleSandsgirlwatchingmeoverthewall.Shenolongerthrowsthings.ButIwasnotgivinganexhibitionofmowing,andInoddedtoher,andwentbacktomygarden.Melonsarealottery;butIlookedatmypeas--mysecondlookthatmorning--tomakesurethattheywillbereadyfortheFourth,andItookaturnaboutthegarden.AndallthewhileIlistened,muchagainstmywill,tothatstridentvoice.Andwhenithadfinishedthatparticularhumorousselection,Ifled,myscytheonmyarm,forfearthatIshouldhavesomesortofsecretlikingforthenextselection;andIcametomypine,andIsatmedownontheseat,andagainmygaze

ranacrossthewatersoftheharbor,wellruffledbythebreezeanddancinginthesun,totheshoreopposite;anddownthatcurvinglineofshoretothelighthouseonitsrock;andovertheblue-graywaterbeyond,thatwaslightlyveiledinhaze,totheislandsfloatinghigh.AndonthewaterbetweenthelighthouseandtheislandsIsawtheArcadia.Shewascomingfast,withallherlightcanvasset,athingofbeauty.ItwouldbeafastsubmarineIthought,thatcoulddamageher--inanysortofbreeze.ThenIthoughtidlyofCaptainFergus,andofElizabethandOlivia,andBobbyandOgilvie,andofEveandPukkie.Thatisthegoal--EveandPukkieandTidda--littleEve.



ElizabethhasbeenourguestforthepasttwoweekswhenshehasnotbeenontheArcadia.Shepuzzlesmeyet.Whatisshedoingheresolong--apoorgirl,seemingtobeloafingoutthesummer?Sheshouldbeconductingherclassesinswimming.ItislikelyenoughthatthesamequestionhasbeenapuzzletoBobby;buthetakesitharderthanI.Iamcontenttoletthequestiongounansweredandhaveherstaywithus.Sheisagoodcomrade,andacomforttoEve,andsheisfondofTidda,andPukkieisherwillingslave.ForPukkieisathomeagain.

Hecameonthetwelfth.Irememberthatwehadhadahardrainfortwodaysbefore,andthatalltheploughedlandwasnobetterthanabog,andallthefieldswerecoveredwithwaterundertheircoverofgrass,sothatthewaterwasrunningoutthroughthecrevicesofthestonewalls,througheachcrevicearivulet.Butnotmyfield,andmygardenwasnobog.AndIwaited,sittingjustwhereIwasatthatmomentandgazingidlyatthesamethingsthatweretherebeforemyeyes.Icouldnotworkinpeace,norsitinpeaceformanyminutesatatime,butIspentthemorninggoinglikeashuttlefromgardentopineandwanderingtheshore,thenbackagain.

EvehadgonewithOldGoodwininhisfastestcartobringhimback--"him"beingPukkie,myson.ButasthetimeapproachedforhisarrivalIsatuponthebenchandsimulatedpeaceandcontent,andgave

nooutwardsignofother;buteverymusclewastense,andeverynerveonedge;Ilistenedsohardthatithurt,andIwisheddevoutlythatOldGoodwin'scarwasnotsoperfectandsosilent,andIresolutelykeptmygazefixeduponthedistanthills,anddidnotseethem.

AtlastIheardthelatchofthegateclickfaintly,asthoughsomebodyhadtriedtoliftitwithoutnoise,andIheardanexcitedchuckle,instantlysubdued.AndIturnedquickly,forgettingthatIhadresolvednottoturn,andtherewasPukkierunningtowardme.AndIwhippedupandran,andIsankupononekneeandheldmyarmswide.AndPukkieranintothematfullspeed,almostknockingmeover,andhethrewhisarmsaroundmyneck,andhehuggedme.HehuggedmesotightthatIwasnearlystrangled;butnotquite--notsonearlybutthatIcouldhughim

closeandwhisperinhisear.

"Oh,Pukkie!"Iwhispered."Mydearlittleson!Mywellbeloved!"

Foranswerhebuthuggedmetheharder,andgaveanexcitedlittlelaughthatwasneartotears.Thatwasenoughforme.Indeed,Iwasnotsofarfromtears.IlookedupatEve,whohadfollowedclose,andtearsstoodinhereyes,butshewassmiling.Oh,suchasmile!Asmilethatbelongstowivesandmothers--ofacertainkind.And,seeingher,Igavethanks.ButthatisnothingnewthatIgivethanksforthat,forIhavedonethesamemanytimesadayformanyyears.

ThenOldGoodwincameupbehindEve.

"IfyouandPukkiecansparethetime,"hesaidtome,"Ishouldbegladtohaveyouridehomewithme--youandEve.Ihavesomethingtoshowyou."

Pukkiewentsomewhateagerly,andEveandI,havingdevotedourselvestofollowingoursonabout,wentafter,notsoeagerly.AndOldGoodwintookusdowntohisboathouse,whichisattheheadofhisstonepierandgivesuponhisartificialharbor,andoutofthecarandintotheboathouse.



"Grandfather,"saidPukkie,tryinginvaintokeepallsignsofexcitementoutofhisvoice,"isitmydorythatwe'regoingtosee?Isit?"

OldGoodwinsmiledtohimself."Well,no,Pukkie.Itisn'tyourdory.Ididn'tmanagethat.Butit'ssomethingofthatnature."

"Oh,"saidPukkieinlowtonesofdisappointment,"Ididn'tknowbut--"OldGoodwinhadopenedthedoorattheotherside."Oh!What'sthat?"

Madefasttothestagetherelayaperfectlittlesloopabouttwentyfeetlongwhichseemedtobeanexactreproductioninminiatureofalargeboat.Everysailwastherewhichthelargeboatscarried,everyropeandblockandstay,althoughtheyhaddrawnthelineataseparatetopmast.Irealizedataglancethatthereweretoomanyropesandblocksandstaysforhersize.Itwouldtakemoreofacrewtohandlehereasilythanshecouldcarry.

ButPukkierealizednothingofthekind.Herantowardher,andstoodbesideher,touchingwithafearfulhandhersmoothdeck,andtheprettyblocksandcleatsofshiningbrass,andsmiling.

Therewasevenagangwayladder,andhergunwalenotmuchmorethana

footabovethewater.

Pukkieturnedhisshiningfacetome.

"Oh,daddy,"hecried,"lookatherdearlittlejibs.Aren'ttheycunning?"

Theywerecunningandtiny.

OldGoodwin,simple-heartedgentlemanthathewas,wasaspleasedasPukkie.Heseemeddelighted.

"Thereareothersails,"hesaid,smilingandeager."Inthesaillocker

youwillfindagafftopsailandajibtopsailandaflyingjib.Wecouldn'tverywellmanageanymore,"headdedtome.

"Theyarequiteenough,"Ireturned,"forhersize--andforhercrewtomanage."

"Sheisratherdeepforherlength,"OldGoodwinwenton."Aboycanstandstraightinhercabin,andamanverynearly.Goaboard,Puk,andsee.Godownintothecabin."

SoPukkie,excitedandsolemn,wentaboard,steppingcarefully,andopenedthecabindoors,anddisappeared.Wefollowedhimondeckandlookeddown.Therewasalittletableinthemiddlewhichwouldfoldup

outoftheway,andthereweretwosmalltransomswithlittlenettedhammocksforthesleeper'sclothes,likeasleeping-car.Andtherewasasilverpitcherforicewater,andracksforglassesanddishes,andshelveswithbrassrailsaroundthem,andlockerstuckedawayineverycorner,andadoorattheforwardendwhichshouldhaveledtothegalley.OldGoodwinsawmylookofincredulity,andhesmiled.

"Thereisagalley,"hesaid,"althoughaverysmallone.ButIthinkaboycouldmanageit.Aboutthesizeofacupboard."OldGoodwinpushedtheslidefartherback."Wehadtoputthisslideonher,"hesaid



apologetically,"ortherecouldn'thavebeenacabinofanyusetoanybody.Iwassorry."

Iwasnotsorry.Itwouldhelptokeeptheseasoff.ButPukkietookonelastlookaround,drewonelong,quiveringbreath,andcameup.

"Oh,see!"hecried.

Iturnedandlookedwherehewaspointing.Therewasthelittlewheel,whichwehadseenbefore;andtheretoowasatinybinnaclewithitscompass,cunninglycontrivedtotakenoroom,setjustforwardofthewheel.

"Doyoulikeit,Pukkie?"OldGoodwinaskedsomewhatwistfully."Doyouthinkthatyou'lllikeheraswellasyouwouldhavelikedadory?"

"Likeher!"criedPukkie."Likeher!Oh,grandfather!"

Andheleapedathisgrandfather,andseizedhimabouttheneck,andhidhisface;andOldGoodwinpattedPukkie'sshoulder,somewhatawkwardly,andsmiledatEveandme.IwonderwhatisthemarketvalueofthetimethatOldGoodwinwastesuponhisgrandson.

ThenPukkiewouldgosailingatonce.Itdidnotmatterthatitwas

timeforluncheon,althoughmyclockthatIcarrybeneathmybelttoldmethatitwas.Hewasnothungry.Itdidnotoccurtohimtowonderaboutme,orhewouldhaveofferedtogetmealuncheoninhisgalley.Sowesetforthtosailtheragingmain;alittlesailofhalfanhour,withEveandOldGoodwintoseeusoff.

Sowesetallthelittlesails,butwedidnotgetoutfromthesaillockerthatgafftopsailandthejibtopsailandthatwonderfulflyingjib.Thewindwasmoderatelystrong.AndweglidedoutfromOldGoodwin'sharborwithmeatthewheel,andPukkiesittingbesidemewithshiningface.Thelittleboatwashandy,andshewentaboutherbusinesswithnofuss,andthewaterbegantohisspastunderherrail.AndIsatthestraighter.Truly,whatisluncheon?

Wepassedsomefishermengoingout--thesamewaythatweweregoing,andwepassedthemasiftheywereatanchor;andtheygazedinamazementandIsawthempointing.IheadedforalighterthatIsawdimlythroughthelighthaze--shewasanchoredbyawreck,asIchancedtoknow--andIgaveupthewheeltoPukkie.

Hehadneversteeredwithawheel,butIundertooktoteachhim--althoughtheartofsteering,whetherwithawheelorwithatiller,cannotbetaught.Onelearnstosteerbyfeeling.AndPukkiewasalertandanxioustolearn.Itoldhimtokeeptheboatheadedforthelighter,atwhichhelookedatmeinsurprise,andsuggestedthatitmightbetoofartogetbackinhalfanhour.Itwas;butIdidnottell

himso.

Thereafter,forsometime,theboatcutsomeastonishingcapers,whichmusthavesetthosefishermentowondering.Wepassedthefishtraps,withmeninrowboatsbusywithtakinginthecatch;andwepassedinnumerableterns,or,rather,theypassedus,andtheywerefishingandsendingforththeirharshmetalliccry;andwesawapairoffishhawks,andtheytoowerefishing.Allfishing.Truly,thebusinessofthewatersiscatchingfish.AndPukkiewasgettingthehangofthewheelandsteeringastraightercourse,sothathecouldgivesomeattention



toothermatters.

Therewererockswhichlookedlikemonstersjustrisenfromthedeep,andwiththewaterwashingovertheirbacks.

"Theylooklikesubmarines,"saidPukkie."Don'tthey,daddy?"

Iexplainedtohimtheappearanceofthebackofamodernsubmarine;buttherocksdidremindmeofsubmarines.Everythingremindsmeofsubmarines.Andwesaw,afaroffuponthewater,asmallgrayspeck.Andthespeckgrewuntilitbecameamotor-boat,paintedadarkgray.Whytheypaintthemagraythatisalmostblackisamystery.Thereisnoconcealmentinit.Thismotor-boatwassmall,andwasheadingrightforus,itseemed.

"Isthatachaser,daddy?"Pukkieseemstohavethejargonpat.Probablyhelearneditatschool."Itisn'tveryfast,isit?Itcouldn'tcatchasubmarine,couldit?Itwouldn'tbeanyusetochasewiththat."Hiswordsheldadepthofscorn.Alwayssubmarines.Icannotgetawayfromthem."Whydon'tyougooutandchasethem,daddy?Ishouldthinkyouwouldliketo.Iwould."

Iamthankfulthathecannot.Igavehimsomeanswerthatseemedtosatisfyhim.

"Thatchaseristryingtomeetus,"heresumed."WhicheverwayIgo,shegoestoo."

Itdidlookso;butitwasasmallboatandslow.Ithoughtthatwecouldbeatherlikelyenough,ifitcametoachase,butPukkiewouldnothaveitso.Hewantedtomeether,andaskedmetosteer.

Wemetinafewminutes,andthepleasant-facedensignhailedmeandaskedifIhadalicenseorapermitorsomething.Iknewnothingofanypermit,andItoldhimso,andhesaidthattheywererequired,andwehadtoturnaboutandsailbackagain.Itwasjustaswell,forwewereliketobeoverourhalf-hour;andwegotinwellaheadofthe

motor-boat.

SincethatdayIhavebeenoutwithPukkieeveryafternoon,forhemustbetaughttosailifhehasaboat.Heiswellusedtogoingwithmeinmydoryandheswimspassingwellforaboyoften.HewillbeeleveninOctober.AndElizabethhastakenhiminhand.Shesailsnearlyaswellassheswims,andshesailswithhimnearlyeverymorning;andsometimesEveandshegowithusintheafternoon.Ifearedalittleatfirsttotakesomany,forIthoughtitmightswamptheboat;buttheboatwillcarryallshewillhold.

Ihadgottothispointinmymeditations,andIwaswellrested,andIwassomewhatcoolerthanIwas;andmyscytherestedagainstthebench

besideme,andIgazeddownthebayattheArcadia,andIwonderedidlyaboutCaptainFergus.IfElizabethwasamystery,hewasnoless.Hedidnotseemthesortofmantobesailingidlyaboutinabeautiful,fastyachtwheneverybodyelsewasbusyinlookingforsomethingtofight;everybodybutOldGoodwinandme,andOldGoodwinisnearlyseventy.FergusisafighterifeverIsawone,theverykindofmanthatwouldstickouthisjawanddamnthetorpedoes.

SinceTomEllisisgone,Ihavenomoralsupportagainstmyconscience--ifitismyconsciencethatmakesmevaguely



uncomfortable--excepttheknowledgeofEve'spacifistattitude.Itrynottosayanythingthatwouldgiveherconcern,butitishardsometimes.Itgetsharderastimegoeson.Gardeningiswellenough,butIhatetobeleftaloneandgardening.Gardeningseemsbutapooroccupationforamanwhenothermattersareafoot,althoughitisbetter,perhaps,thanactingaschauffeurforalotofnavalofficers.ButTomseemstolikeitwellenough,andsaysthathehasputhimselfentirelyintheirhands,anddoeswhateverheiscalledupontodo,withoutathoughtforthemorrow,whichis,nodoubt,theproperattitude.Cecilylikesittoo,andspendsmostofhertimeinNewport,goingtoandfroinOldGoodwin'scar.Iwentoverwiththemoneday,andthefirstthingmyeyesalighteduponwastheArcadiajustcometoanchor,andCaptainFerguslandingattheWarCollege.Perhapshisconsciencewastoomuchforhim.FergusisayearortwoolderthanIam,and--confoundit!--thereissomefightleftinmeyet.Iftherewereonlysomethingmorethanphantomstofight!Andthisfranticsearchforwhatisnot!

Iheardthesoundofascreendoorslamming,andlookedaroundthetree-trunk,andsawPukkierunningoverthegrasstowardme;andbehindhimtherecame,atasomewhatmoresedatepace,EveandElizabeth.

"Daddy,"Pukkiecalledassoonashesawme,"don'tyouwanttogoswimming?We'regoing.Tidda'satgrandmother's."

Beingindulged,ofcourse,withunlimitedcookiesandraisinsandanythingelseshetookafancyto.Grandmothershaveatalentforindulging,andTiddahasageniusforacceptingindulgences.

"Ido,Pukkie.ThatisexactlywhatIwant.Ihavebeenmowing.Isyourmothergoingswimming?Yougoingin,Eve?"

"Yes,she'sgoing."AndEvesmiledandnodded.

SoIputmyscytheintheshed,andwewentdownthesteeppath,andalongtheshorewherethewaterlappedhigh;andpastmyclambedstothebathhousenearthestonepier.ThebathhouseisOldGoodwin's,as

anymightguess,andthelittlebeachisOldGoodwin's,andthefloat-stagealittlewayout,withitsspringboard.Itisgoodbathingatthatlittlebeachonlywhenhighwatercoversthesand.Beyondthesandaregreatpebblescoveredwithrockweedandbarnacles.

Evecameouthesitating,hereyessmilingandtenderasshelookedatme;butadarkgreencapcoveredherglorioushairexceptsomewispswhicheverbotherherwiththeirstraggling,andthesunshoneuponthewanderinglocksandframedherheadinfinespuncopper.

"Don'tyouthink,Adam,"sheaskedtimidly,"wemightgoinhere?Itisagoodtide--andI'mafraidIcan'tmanagethefloat."

Evedoesnotswimverywell,althoughconfidenceisallshelackstomakeherapassableswimmer.AndIwasquitewilling,butElizabethwouldnothearofit,promisingthatshewouldlookoutforEve;andshehadusallintheboatandrowingoutbeforewecouldmakeourobjectionsheard.

Andnosoonerwerewewellclearofthebeach,thanElizabethdived,andwhenshecameupagain,--itwassomedistancethatshewasunderwater--shecalledtoPukkie.AndPukkie,withsupremeconfidenceinElizabeth,stoodupontheseatanddivedovertheside,andswambeside



her.

EveseemedtohavemoreconfidenceinElizabeththanshehadinme,whichisnotstrange,forIhaveobservedthat,inmattersofskillorknowledgeorjudgment,awomanwilltrusttheverieststrangerbeforeherhusband,althoughinthismatterofskillandknowledgeElizabethwaswellpastme.

SoEvetrustedherselfutterlytoElizabeth,andshemadesomeprogressinherswimming.Andweallflounderedaboutthereinthecool,cleanwateruntilElizabethsaidthatEvewascold,andthenwealldrewourselves,dripping,ontothefloat,andthere,butalittlewayoff,wastheArcadiaanchored,andhersailsnearlyfurled.

AsIgazedatherIthoughtIsawsomethingqueerabouthertopmaststays--alittlething.Itlookedalmostlikeaerialsforwireless.IaskedElizabethaboutit.

Shewaslookingatittoo,almostwithsatisfaction.

"Yes,"shesaid,"Isee.Itdoeslookasifitmightbe."

Whyshouldsheknow?AndthenthetenderputoffwithCaptainFergusandBobbyandmadeforthelanding,goingratherclosetoushuddledonthe

float.Theyhailedus,Bobbyverysolemnly,buttheydidnotstop.

TherewasalightofmischiefinEve'seyes.

"I'mgoingtohaveBobbytodinnerto-night,"shewhispered.

"Ifhe'llcome,"Isaidinherear.

"Oh,he'llcome."

Andhedid.

EveandIwerestandingalonetogetherandsilentandhandinhandupon

theedgeofmybluff,watchingwhiletheGreatPainterspreadhiscolorsashewaswonttodo.Thestillwaterswerecoveredwithallmannerofredsandpurples.Thegrassesofthelittlemarshbelowuswavedgentlyabovetheshiningmud,andnowandthentherebrokeawavethatraninamongthegrassstemsinripplesofcolor,andleftthewetmudglisteninginacoatofshimmeringgreen,andsetthegrasswavinganew.

Aswestoodtherelookingdown,Bobbycamesilentlyandstoodbesideus,andbreathedalongsigh,andgazedforalongtime.ThenhelookedatEveandsmiled.

"Lovely,"hesaid,"andpeaceful.Forthematterofthat,itwouldbehardtofindamorepeaceful-lookingplacethanthelightship--ingood

weather."

"Then,Bobby,"Isaid,"Itakeitthatnotmanyperiscopeshavefallentoyourbowandspear."

Heshookhishead."I'mdisgusted.I'mbeginningtothinkthattheGermanshavenosubmarines,andthatallthesetalesarefables.Yourtraps,Adam,arenogood.I'djustliketogetachancetogoacrosstotheNorthSeaorIrelandortheChannel.I'lltellyouinstrictconfidence--wehavebeenwarnednottotalkaboutthesethings--amine



sweeperwenttoBostonafewdaysago,onthewayover.NobodyknowswhenshewillleaveBoston.Iwasgreatlytemptedtotryforaplaceonher.ButI'llgetthereyet."

"Nodoubttherewouldbeoccupationforidlehandsoverthere.ButwhathasbecomeofOgilvie?Wehavenotseenhimsincetheclambake."

"He'sbusy.He'sgoingover--togoonachaser.Luckychap!Hehadhisordersthatverymorning.Waitingforthechaser.ButI'dbetriedforhightreasonifyouweretotellanybody--evenMissRadnor,forinstance."

Ihadturnedabout,andtherewasElizabeth.Shemusthavehearditall,forsheturnedpale,andthelightinhereyeswentoutsuddenly,leavingthemcoldasstones.Itwasapity.

Shecameforwardslowly."Whyareyouafraidofme,Mr.Leverett?"

"Afraidofyou?"askedBobbyinsurprise."Iamnot.WhyshouldIbe?"Itwasachallenge."Wehavebeenwarnedtobecautious."

"ItwasnotIwhowasincautious,"saidElizabeth.

Bobbysmiled,andhissmilewasnotpleasanttosee,buthespokeina

faultlessmanner.

"Youareneverincautious,"hesaid."Trustyouforthat."

ThenPukkiecamerunning,withTiddaafterhim,andtheypitcheduponBobbyandcreatedadiversion,whichwewelcomed.

Ourdinnerwasnotasuccess,asmaywellbeimagined.Elizabethwascoldandsilent,whichwasnotlikeher.WehadcometoknowElizabethprettywell,andwelikedher;andweknewBobbyverywell,andwelikedhim.Anditisunpleasantandawkwardwhenpeoplewhomyoulikeandwholikeeachother--Iknewitwellenough--speaktogetherlittleandlookupononeanotherwithhostilitywhichisbutillconcealed.And,dinner

over,wewithdrewtoourcandles,butElizabethwentupwithTidda,andPukkiefollowedher.Bobbylaughedmirthlesslyatthat,andmutteredsomething.Itsoundedtomelike"latestvictim."

WehadapleasantbutshorteveningwithBobby,andheleftearly,makinganexcuseofduty.AsweturnedawayweencounteredElizabeth,whomurmuredthatshehadjustgotthechildrentosleep,andsaidthatshewasgoingoutforafewminutes.

"IwasgladtohearthatnewsofJack,"shesaid."Tosaytruth,Ihaveknownitforalongtime.Jacktoldme."Truly,shewasnotincautious."Itwillsettletheyeogirl.Thatwasajoke,hewroteme.But,whetheritwasornot,itwillsettleher."

"AndOlivia?"Iasked.

"Oliviaissettledalready.Shehasgonehome."

VIII



Indeed,aconscienceisamostdistressingcomrade.And,albeitaconscienceisnotforafisherman,--hecannotaffordit,--aclammermaybeprickedandstabbedandplaguedbythathewouldwillinglygetridof.ForIsupposeitwasmyconsciencethatimpelledmetobuy--insecret,forIwouldnothaveEveknowofitlestitgiveheranxiety--alittlecardwithtworevolvingdiscsandpicturesofasignalmanineverypositionthatispossibletoasignalman.

BydiligentuseofthatcardandmuchpracticeinthepropermannerofwavingmyarmsIhopedtomakemyselfdulyproficientintheartofsignallingbythewigwagmethod.

Ifoundthecardatanauticalinstrumentstoreinthecityonthedayafterourdinner;andasIlookedatitsomewhatdoubtfully,theclerkpulledoutalittlebookthatgavethemattermoreatlength.Iboughtthemboth,andIhavebeenpractisingthemotionsforaweekinsecret.Andthathasitsdifficultiestoo,thatIdoitinsecret,forifIpractisedinthehouseitwasnotsecret,norwasitsecretinmygardenorinthehayfieldoronmybluff.AtlastIhituponthatlittleclumpoftrees.Noonecouldseemethere.

To-daybeingtheFourthofJuly,IthoughtitfitthatIpractisemorediligentlythanusual.So,havinggatheredmyfirstpeas,agenerous

messofthem,Irepairedtotheclumpoftrees;andhavingproppedthebookuponabranchandhungthecarduponatwig,Ibegan.ButnosoonerhadIgottoworkatitthansomebodycamerunningoutofthehouse,softlycalling,"Adam!Adam!"ItwasthevoiceofEve,andshewaswavingapaper,forIcouldhearitrustling.AndIsweptthebookoffitsbranchandthecardfromitstwig,tearingthecardinmyhaste,andIsteppedfrommyhiding-placeontothebluff,sothatIshouldseemtobebutgazingoutoverthewater,asismywont.

IwasjustputtingthebookandthecardinmypocketwhenEvecameuponme,butshewassointentthatshedidnotnotice.Thepaperthatshehadispublishedinthenearestcity,anditisagoodpaper,abetterpaperthananypublishedinBoston.Itsuitsmeevenbetterthanthe

London"Times,"towhichIsubscribe,foralthoughthe"Times"hasthewarnewsingreaterdetailthanwehaveit,itisusuallythreeweeksold;andnewswhichonehasreadthreeweeksbeforeisoldenoughtohavebeenforgotten.

Sheheldthepaperupbeforemyeyes.

"See,Adam,"shesaid."HereisgoodnewsfortheFourth.Ourtransportshavebeatenthesubmarines,greatflocksofthem,andhavesunksomeofthem,andtheyhavearrivedsafely,everyshipandeveryman."

Ismiledatherenthusiasm."Thatshouldbegoodnews.Tobesure,thesubmarinesthatweresunkcarriedtheircrewsdownwiththemtobe

drownedlikeratsinatrap,andweusedtothinkthatGermanswereprettygood--"

"Good!"shecried."Whentheyhavecommittedsomanymurdersonthesea!"

"Well,theseGermanswillcommitnomoremurders.Letmeseeyourpaper."

Thereitwasingreatstaringlinesoftypebeforemyeyes.Ihadbut



justdigestedtheheadlines,andwaspreparingtoreadthesolidcolumnswhenEvesnatcheditaway.

"Ican'twaitforyoutoreaditall.Iwanttoshowittofather."

TherewasprobablynothingtherethatOldGoodwindidnotknowalready.Hehasawayofknowingthings;butIsaidnothingofit.IsmiledagainatEve,andlethergo.

"Adam,"shesaidanxiously,turningback,"_you_wouldn'tcommitmurdersonthesea,wouldyou?_You_couldn'tpersuadeyourselfthatitwasright?"

"Well,"Iansweredgravely,"Ihavenoneincontemplation,butIhavenotgiventhemattermuchconsideration.IfIweresailingthehighseas,andweretomeet--alsosailingtheragingmain--Sandsandhistalkingmachine,Imight--"

Evelaughed."Yes,youmight."Andshecamebackandkissedme."You'renosortofamurderer."

"Youdon'tknow,Eve,"Iprotested,"whatsortofamurdererImightbe.Iwouldnotboast,andIspeakinallmodesty,butItrytodoaswellasIcanwhateverIsetmyhandto.IventuretosaythatIshoulddo

mymurderingthoroughly."

Shelaughedagain,merrily,andagainshekissedme.

"Themurderingthatyouwilldowillnotamounttothat."Andshesnappedherfingers."JackOgilvieisliketodomoreofit,--ifyoucallthatmurder."Shesighedandturnedaway."NowIwillgo."

Andshewasgonedownthesteeppathandalongtheshore,stoppingnowandthentowaveatme.Ithurtmesomewhatnottogowithher,butImustbeatmysignalling.

So,assoonasEvewasoutofsightinthegreenery,Ibeganagain,

standingonthebluffwhereIwas,animprudentthingtodo.Ilaidmybookandmycardupontheground,andbegantowavemyarmsgently,stoopingnowandthentothebooktobesurethatIhaditright,andsayingthenamesoftheletterstomyselfasIwaved.Foreachletterhasanameinthesignalbook.AndasIwaved,IthoughtuponEve'ssighthatshehadsighedassheturnedaway,anditseemedalmostasifsheweresorrythatIwasnotasOgilvie;butthatcouldnotbethatshewouldhavemego,forhadshenotsaidother?And,withoutknowingwhatIwasdoing,Iproclaimedittotheworld."Evewouldhavememurder,"wasthesentenceIwassignalling."EvewouldhavememurderontheseaevenasOgilvie."Iwasevenshoutingthenamesofthelettersbythis.AndIlookedandtherewasabiggraymotor-boatjustwithouttheharbor,andOgilviehimselfstandinguponherdeckandwatching

me--andwondering,Ihadnodoubt.

Themotor-boatcameonswiftly,andOgilviewatchedmeasifhethoughtIhadgonedaft,whileI,outofbravadoIfear,signalledagainthatmessageaboutEve,nobetterthanalie.Anddirectlyoppositemybluffthemotor-boatcametoastop,andOgilviebegantowavehisarms,sothatanythatsawmightwellthinkthereweretwomadmenintheharbor.Andtomydelight,Icouldreadit,andreaditeasily.Itwasabriefmessage,itistrue."What!"saidOgilviewithhiswavingarms."Repeat."



Ididnotrepeat,butIsenthimanothermessage."ComeuphereandIwillexplain.Iampractising.Givemesomemore."

Sohegavememore,andIcouldreadit,althoughhismessageswerenotsimple.Itfilledmysoulwithanunreasonablejoy,asaboy'swhenhefindsthathehasmasteredatschoolsometaskwhichhethoughtthathehadnot.Andwewavedourarmsateachother,twogonecleancrazy,foralongtime,andOgilviesmiledmoreandmore,untilatlasthelaughed.

"Welldone,"hesignalled."Iwillbethereinhalfanhour."

Andthemotor-boatstartedagain,andIturned,smiling,wellpleasedwithmyself,andtheresatEveonthebenchunderthepine,andshewaslaughing.

"Adam,"shesaid,"comehereandsitbesideme,andexplain.Oh,bringyourbook."ForinmyawkwardnessIwasleavingitthereonthegrass."Isawit.Ihavebeenwatchingyou."

AndIturnedmeeklyasthatsameboyatschoolcaughtinsomemischief,andIwentandsatbesideher,butIdidnotexplain.

"WhereisElizabeth?"Iasked.

"Elizabeth,"shesaid,"hasgonesailingwithPukkie.Youmighthaveknownit.Now,whatwereyoudoing,andwhywereyoudoingit?"

Ihavefoundthetruthtoservemebest,andIwouldnottellEveotherthanthetruthinanylittlestthing.SoItoldherall,andshowedherthematterallsetforthinthebook.Andshewasinterestedandpleased,andwouldlearnwigwaggingherself.

"Youmustteachme,Adam,"shesaid,"andwewilldoittogether."

Andthatpleasedmemightily,thatwedoittogether.Andsheclaspedmyarminbothherhands,andbentforwardandlookedupintomyface.

Andinhereyesasshelookedwasevengreatertendernessthanwaswonttobe,andthatwasamarvel;andtherewasagreatjoytoo.

"Tellme,Adam,"shesaidsoftly."Whydidyoudoit?Whatsetyouatit?"

"ThenaturethatGodgaveme,"Isaid,"orconscience,whichisthesamething.Idonotknow.It--itishard,Eve,tobeforty-threewhenonewouldbetwenty-three--forareason.Asforthesignalling,"Iadded,"thatisnothingmuch,savethatwebelearningittogether."

"Iknow,"shesaid."Asymptom."

Ididnotknowwhatshemeant,whethermyconscienceorthesignalling.Butstillshewaslookingupatmewithjoyinhereyes,andhappiness;andshegavealittlesoftcryandalittlehappylaugh,andshesqueezedmyarmbetweenherhands.

"Oh,Adam,Adam!"shecriedlow."Iloveyou--youdon'tknowhowmuch.AndIdon'twishthat_I_wastwenty-three.Doyouknowwhy?"

Icouldnotguess.



"Attwenty-threeIwasnotmarried,"saidEve."Ididnotevenknowyou."

WhatIdidthenanymayguess.Nodoubtitwasimprudenttoo.Andwewereoncemoresittingdecorous,andaboutEve'slipsandinhereyeswasthatsmileofjoyandhappiness.

"Youwillsee,Adam,"shesaid."Itwillallcomeright."

"Whatwillcomeright?"askedavoice."Isanythingwrong?"

Andweturned,andtherewasJackOgilvie.

"IdonotknowwhatEvemeant,"Iansweredhim,"unlessshereferredtomysignalling.Nodoubtthatiswrongenough."

Heshookhishead."Nothingwrongaboutthat.Youdoitverywell."

ThenIaskedhimforthelatestnewsfromtheseatofwar.

"Well,"hesaid,"weareforbiddentotellthenews,althoughthereisn'tany.ButifyouweretogotoNewportyouwouldseeabigBritishcruiserlyingthere.Andifyouhadyourglasswithyouyoucouldreadhername."Hegavehername,butIhaveforgottenit."Itissupposedto

beasecret,andhasnotbeeninthepapers,buteverybodyatNewportknowsit.Theycan'thelpit.Theofficersgoaboutveryswaggerandverystiff,carryinglittlecanes.Youmayseemecarryingalittlecaneoneofthesedays,butIhavenotyetarrivedatthatdignity--orfolly,whicheveryoucallit."

Ismiled."Didyounevercarryalittlecaneincollege?"

"Oh,sometimes,forthesakeofdoingit,becauseIhadarightto.Butthisisreal."

"WhenyoucomebackfromEngland,orFrance,orwhereveryouaregoing,perhapsyouwillcarryacane."Heseemedstartled,butonlyfora

moment.

"WhatmakesyouthinkIamgoingover?"

"Bobbytoldus--inconfidence.When?"

Heseemedrelieved."IfBobbytoldyouthatletsmeout.IwasafraidImighthavedroppeditsomehow.Idon'tknowwhen,butsoon,Ithink."

"Jack,"saidEvesuddenly--itwasthefirsttimeIhadheardhercallOgilvieJack--"Jack,wewillhaveaclambakeforafarewell.Ihopetheywillgiveyousomedays'noticeofyourgoing."

"Thankyou,"hereturned,smiling."Itismorelikelytobehours'notice.ButIwillcometoyourclambakeifIcan."

"Andcanyoubring,"Eveasked,"youryeogirl?Iinviteher,andaskyoutodelivertheinvitation."

Helaughedsuddenly."Myyeogirl--didyouhearshewasajoke?Sheisarealgirl,butIdon'tknowher,andIcouldn'tbringheroverhere,--oranywhere.No,I'mafraidyouwillhavetogetsomebodyelsetodelivertheinvitation.HowwouldMr.Walesdo?--orBobby?"



"Jimmyhasawife,mycousin."

"Yes,Iknow.ButBobby--hehasn'tany."

"PoorBobbywouldbeingreatertroublethanever.Besides,hewouldn'tdoit.Bobbyhasdevelopedanastytemperlately.Iwantedtheyeogirlforyou,andifyoudon'twanther--IamsorryOliviahasgone."

"Oliviawouldneverdoforme,"hesaid,shakinghishead."IguessIshallhavetodevotemyselftotheclams--ortoElizabeth."

"Youmightdoworse,youngman,"Isaidseverely.

"Imight,"heassented."InfactIhavedoneworse."

IdidnotknowwhetherhereferredtotheclamsortoElizabeth;butitwastrueineithercase.Andhesaidnothingmore,andthereuponasilencefell,whichisnomisfortuneandnoembarrassmentwhenthepeoplearesuitedtoit.IhadbeenseeingPukkie'syachtforsometime,andshehadjustdisappearedbehindOldGoodwin'spier.Andshehadthreepeopleinher,whenIsupposedshecarriedonlyElizabethandPukkie.ImentionedittoEve,whowasasmuchsurprisedasI;andwewatchedthepierandtheshore.

Andpresentlywesawcomingalongtheshore,wherethelittlewaveswerebreaking,threefigures.ThefigureswerethoseofElizabethandPukkie--ofthosetwoIwascertain--andthethirdlookedlikeBobby.IhadtolookseveraltimesbeforeIwassureofhim.HewaswalkingbesideElizabeth,andhisattitudebetokenedastrangemixtureofdevotionanddistaste.AsIlookedagainIsawthatElizabethandPukkiehadbeenrecentlywet--verywet--andtheywerenotyetdry.Bobbywasnotwet.Theinferencewasobvious:ElizabethandPukkiehadbeenoverboard,andBobbyhadnot.ButwherehadBobbycomefrom?EveandIhurrieddownthesteeppath,andmetthematitsfoot.

Elizabethraisedhereyestome,andIsawtwodeeppoolsunderasummer

sun,andallmannerofcolorsplayedoverthem,concealingthedepths.Thenforaninstantthelightswerequenchedthatconcealedthedepths,andhereyesbecameastwodarkwellswithyetasortoflightilluminingthedarkness,andthereIsawcontent,butnotsatisfaction--ifthosetwocanbereconciled.Itwasforbutaninstant,andthenthelightscameback,andhereyesdanced,andshelaughedatme.

"Areyouwondering,"sheasked,"whathashappenedtous,andwhatBobbyLeverettisdoinghere?"

"Itiseasytoguess,"Ianswered,"thatyouandPukkiehavebeenoverboard,althoughwhyyoushouldgoinswimminginallyourclothesis

anothermatter.ButImustconfesstosomewonderaboutthatmatterstandingfidgetingthere."AndIpointedanaccusingfingeratBobby.

Bobbywasillatease,andstrugglingbetweentheconstraintthatwasuponhimandawishtotellhistale.

"Well,yousee,Adam,"hebegan,"I--wewerecruising--"

"Who,"Iasked,interrupting,"is'we'?"



"Bobby,"saidElizabethquietly,"you'dbetterletmetellitfirst.PukandI,"shecontinued,addressingEveandme,"weresailingalongtoocalmly,andhewantedtoputupthegafftopsail.Sohegotitout,andranwithit,andhecaughthisfootinsomeofthesuperfluousropesandblocks,andwentoverboard--topsailandall.Iwasafraidhemightbetangledinthesail,soIletallthehalliardsgoontherun,andIwentafterhim.Igothim,andsavedthesail,andtherewasaboatfromtheRattlesnake,withBobby.Hehelpedusonboardagain,andinsisteduponcomingwithus."

Bobbyagainopenedhismouthtospeak.

"Onemoment,Bobby,"Isaid."Tellme,Elizabeth,didtheRattlesnakespringsosuddenly?"

ShesmiledandglancedatBobby."Oh,wehadseenherbefore.ThatwaswhyPukwaswantingthetopsail.Hewantedtoseeifwecouldbeather."

"Oh,"saidI,andIlookedatBobby,whosquirmedasacaterpillaronastick.

"Wehappenedtobenear,"hesaid.Hespokecalmlyenough,butIsawthathewasveryuncomfortable."IthoughtIoughttocome,forPukkiewasverywet,andIwantedtobesurehewasallright.MissRadnorhad

ratheranastytimegettinghimclearofthatsail."

"Bobby!"saidElizabethwarningly.Andsuddenlyshesmiledasifshewasmuchamusedatsomething,perhapsatBobby.

"Bobby,"saidEvesoftly,"itwasverygoodofyou.DidElizabethsavePukkie'slife?"

"I'mnotsure,"Bobbyansweredslowly,"thatPukkie'slifewasindanger,butI'mnotsurethatitwasnot."

EveclaspedPukkietoher,wetashewas.Iwouldhavedonethesame.

"Bobby,"Evesaidagain,lookingupathim,"wastherenooneelsethatwasverywet?I'mashamedofyou."Shehadspokenlow.

"Er--yousee,"Bobbyansweredwriggling,"IknewverywellthatEliz--MissRadnorwouldbeallright.Sheis--er--verycompetent."

AndElizabethlaughedathimanddroppedacurtsey."Thankyou,"shesaid.

Bobbywasstrugglingwithhisdesiretosmileandwithhisdignity.

"I'vegottogetbacksomehow,"hesaid."Hello,there'sOgilvie."Ogilviehadbeenstandinginplainsightatthetopofthebluff."He

cantakeme--thatis,ifyoucansparehim."Hebeckonedtohim,andOgilviecamedown."You'llhavetotakemeout,Jack."

Ogilviegrinnedandsaluted,andtheystartedofftogether.ButtheyhadgoneonlyafewstepswhenBobbyturned.

"Ialmostforgottosaygood-bye."

Hesmiledunhappily,andwasturningback,butElizabethrantohimandheldoutherhand.



"Youcanbeonyourdignityifyoulike,Bobby,"shewhispered,notsolowbutthatIheardit,"butI'mnotgoingtobe.Good-bye,andthankyou."

AndBobbyhadtakenthehandthatsheheldout.Hehelditforalongtime,butsaidnothingthatIcouldhear,butonlylooked.Andherelinquishedherhand--actuallyflungitfromhim--andstrodeawayafterOgilvie.AndElizabethcamebacktousquietly,buthereyesshoneandshewassmiling.

"Now,"shesaid,"PukandIwillgetonsomedryclothes.Youmayaswellrubhim,Eve."

ItmusthavebeenanarrowerescapethanElizabethwouldadmit.Asweascendedthesteeppath,Ithoughtuponthemannerofjourneythatwouldhavebeeniftherehadbeennoescapeatall.Pukkie,mydearlybelovedson!AndIreachedforwardandhuggedhim,andfortherestofthewaymyarmlayalonghisshoulders.

Thatnightweheardfiringfromthefort,perhapsadozenshots.Wehearthatfiringeveryfewnights.EveandIlookedout--wewerejustgoingtobed--andsawtheflashesagainsttheskyabovethetrees,andheardthesoundasifcannonballswerebeingdroppedontheflooroverour

heads.Evewonderedwhatitwas,andItoldheritwasprobablysometugtryingtogoinoroutoftheharbortotheeastofusataforbiddentime.

"Oh,"shesaid,relieved,"Ithoughtthatitmightbesubmarines--orfireworks."

IX

ItwasonaSaturdaymorningaboutthemiddleofJuly,andithadbeenfoggy;andIhadwatchedthefogretreatingstealthily,withdrawingonelongvaporousarmandthenanother,slinkingbacklikeawraithbeforethesun,asiftryingtogetawayunperceived.Therewasnowrithingandtwistingintheanguishofdefeatanddissolution,nojetsandshredsvanishingintothehotairabove.Butthewaysofthefogovertheseaareamystery,andIamnotyetattheendofthem.

IhadgoneovertoOldGoodwin'stotakemydaughter,andIhadleftherwithoneofthearmyofstarchedandstiffimitationsofmeninbuttonswhohauntthehouse.Theyguardeverydoor,sothatamancannotsomuchasturnahandleforhimself;andoneistobefoundineachpassage,andateveryturn.TheymightbewoodenimagesfromaNoah'sArk,

endowedwithmovement,butnotwithlife.Therearenotsomanyofthemasthereweresomeyearsago.TheyarenoneofOldGoodwin'sdoing,andMrs.Goodwinhassomewhatlostherfancyforthem;andsomeofthem,OldGoodwintoldme,haveenlisted.Fancy!Thosemeninbuffuniformandmanybuttonsenlisting!Buttheywillbewellusedtowearingauniform,andtheywillbewellusedtodoingwithoutquestionwhattheyaretoldtodo,andtokeepingtheirfaceslikemasks.TheywillmakegoodsoldiersIhavenodoubt,andtheymaybeinFranceatthismoment.

Thebuttonswhoadmitteduswasnotsoverystarchedandstiff,andhe



seemedtohavebeenendowedwithlifeaswellasmovement,andtohavebecomeactuallyahumanbeing.Forhesmiledwhenhesawmydaughter,andspokepleasantlytoher,sothatIwaspersuadedthathewasevengladtoseeher.Andshe,havingthrownhimsomepleasantry,andasmilewithit,dashedpasthimthroughthegreathallandvanished.Andhe,stillsmiling,closedthedooruponme,andIwentinsearchofOldGoodwin,whodealsnotinuniformsandbuttons.

Ifoundhimonthatpartofhispiazzawherestandsthegreattelescopeonitsmassivetripod.Beforehimtherelayhisoceansteameratanchor,andhegazedathersteadily--butnotthroughthetelescope.

HeturnedhisheadasIcame,andgavemehisquietsmileofpeace.

"Good-morning,Adam,"hesaid."Iwasjustwishingthatyouwouldcome."

OldGoodwinwithhisquietsmile--eveninhisclammer'sclothesandhisoldstainedrubberboots--isyetGoodwintheRich.Itisamarvel.

"Good-morning,"Isaid."AndhereIamtodowithwhatyouwill--forthespaceofsomehours."

"Itmaytakesomehours,"hereturned,"anditmaybedoneinless."

Ididnotintheleastknowwhathewastalkingabout,butIwastofindout.Hewassilentforsomewhile.

"Anynewslately?"heaskedthen.

"Warnews,Isupposeyoumean,"Isaid,"andsubmarines.Nothingthatyouhavenotseen;asubmarineinHamptonRoadsaboutaweekago.Butthatreportwasinallthepapers.NodoubtJimmyhasgivenyoulaternews."

"IbelievethatallboatsweresentoutfromNewportinahurrylastSunday.Ihaveheardnothingsince.Iwonder,"hecontinued,smiling,"ifwhaleshavenotsomethingtodowiththesereports--orsharks.I

hearthattherehasbeenagreatslaughterofwhalesintheNorthSeainthelastthreeyears."

"Whaleshavenoperiscopes."

"Theymayyetdeveloptheminself-defenceifthiskeepsonlongenough.ButIwouldnotcastdoubt.Youseemyboatoutthere.Whatdoyouthinkofthecolor?"

Shewasallgray,andhasbeensoforsometime.

"Why,itisagoodcolorifyoulikeit.Shelookslikealumpoflead.Icannotseewhythenavydoesnotpaintitsshipssomelightershade,

withstreaksofgreensandbluesandpurplesandsomewhitehereandthere.Thosearethecolorsthatthewatershows,althoughthewaterisofadifferentcolorineverydifferentlight.ButIwouldbewillingtoguaranteethatIcoulddobetterthanthat--muchbetter."

Helookedatmethoughtfully."Thatisworththinkingof,Adam.Iamsureyoucoulddobetter.Youcouldn'tdomuchworseiftheideaisconcealment."Hechuckled."Youknowthewateranditscolors.Howwouldyouliketodoit?"



"Why,Idon'tknow,"Isaidslowly."Ihaveneverthoughtofit.Thefactis,"Iblurtedout,andchokeduponmywords.WhyshouldIconfesstoOldGoodwinwhatIhadbeenunwillingtoconfesstomyself?Buttheimpulsewastoostrong."Thefactis,"Ibeganagainmorequietly,"Iamnotsatisfied.Icannotbecontenttotilltheground--whichanyWesternIslandercoulddoaswellorbetter--andtomoonuponmybluffwheneveryoneIknowisdoingmore.Couldyou?"

Hesmiledandshookhishead."Icouldnotinyourplace.Butcomeouttomyboatwithme.IwanttoshowyouthechangesIhavemade."

Sowewentinhistenderwhichwaslyingathislandingwithhermeninher,thathadbeenwaitingforus.Andonthewayoutheaskedmecasuallyandseeminglywithoutinterest,howIlikedsteamers;andhehadhisgazefixeduponhisgreatvesselasthoughhehadanaffectionforher.

"Theyaregoodforgettingsomewherequickly,"Iansweredhim,"ifyoumeansuchasyours.Fortherest,onemightaswellbeinsomegreatmodernhotelonanislandinthemidstofthesea.Thereisnomorepleasureinthem.Nowtellme,isthere?"

Helaughedaheartylaugh."Icanwellimagine,Adam,thepleasureyouwouldhaveinbeinginagreathotel,whetheritwasinthemidstofthe

seaorinthemidstofthecity,butIhavehadsomepleasureinthatboat.Ihavesomeregardforher."

"ThenIaskyourpardon,"Isaid,"fortheanswerthatIgave.Ishouldhavesaidother.ButwhatImeantwasclearenough.Asailingvesselisalivingthing,andeachhaswaysofherown.Youfeelherresponsetoeachmovementofthewheeloreachchangeofsailortrimofsheet,andthatresponseissometimeswillingandsometimesunwilling.Sheislikeawoman,respondinginstantlyandgladlytoamanwhopersuadesherwithsympathyandunderstanding,anddoingherbest;whiletoamanwithouttrueunderstandingofhersheisreluctantandcontraryandstubborn.Ihavenoexperienceinvesselsofsize,butyoucanaskCaptainFergus."

Helaughedagain."Fergusisofthesameopinion,"hesaid."ButwhatImeanttoaskwaswhetheryouhaveexperienceofsteamers."

Ishookmyhead.

"Toobad,"hesaid,andsighed."Asteamerisalivingthingtoo,Ithink,butlesslikeawoman;goingstraightwheresheisgoinglikeaman;morestraightforward.Ilikeasteamerwellenough.ButFergusagreeswithyou.AndFergushastogoinasteamer,anditalmostbreakshisheart.Heistocommandher."Andhewavedatthehugehulltoweringaboveus,forwewereatthegangway.

Iwasfollowingafterhimupthesteps.

"AndisCaptainFergusinthenavy?"Iasked.

"IntheReserve.Hehasbeensincethebeginning.Theywereonlywaitingforaship."

"AndtheArcadia?"

Heturnedandsmiled."Sheisenrolledtoo,butitisasecret.Idon'tknowwhyasecret."



Sothatexplainedheractivities.Theremightbeothersecrets;andIthoughtofElizabethandBobby.Elizabethcouldbetrustedtokeepasecretwell,andBobbyknewit.AndElizabethhadbeenawaymuchofthetimefortwoweeksormore,alwaysgoingintheArcadiawherevershewent,butusuallyhomeforthenight.By"home"Imeanourhouse.IthoughtshewasbutaguestofMrs.Fergus,buttheremightbesomeotherexplanation.Itdidnotmatter.ElizabethwasElizabeth,andEverejoicedtoseeherfacewithitscrownofbeaver-coloredhair,andhercalmandsmilingeyes.Ihavenotyetdecidedwhatisthecolorofhereyes,buttheysuitEve.

AndIlookedup,andIsawtheArcadiajuststretchinghersailsasamanwillstretchhisarmsandlegsinpreparationfortheusingofthem.Shehadbeenthereallnight.AndIsawthatnobleyachtofPukkie'scastingofffromthestageinthelittleharborofOldGoodwin's,andPukkieandElizabethinher.AndPukkiesawme--hehadbeenwaitingtocatchmyeye--andtheybothwavedtomeastheboatcaughtthewindandstoodoutoftheharbor.Shewastiny,thatyachtofPukkie's,butshewascomplete;ascompleteastheArcadia.Indeed,shewasnotunlikeher,savethatonewasaschoonerandtheotherasloop.ToseethatboatofPukkie'soutuponthewaterwithnoothernearenoughtocomparethem,youmightthinkshewasofanysize,evenabigboat--untilyousawthetwohuddledinthecockpitoroneofthemstretcheduponthe

deck,almostcoveringit.

"See,"IsaidtoOldGoodwin,"theregoesPukkie."

Hestoodattheheadofthegangway,andhesmiledahappysmile.

"Isee.Hewillgonearallthelobsterbuoys,andthefishtraps,andtherocksuncoveredbythetide,andpretendthattheyaresubmarines.Hehastoldme.AndhepretendsthattheYankeeisavesselthathasbeensunkbyasubmarine.Whatitistobeaboy!"

"Andwhatarewebutboys?"Isaid."WepretendthattherearesubmarinesinallthewatersfromMontauktoChatham,andwegoabout

lookingforthem.Itismuchmoresatisfactorytohavesomethingthatyoucansee,asPukkiehas,--andjustasuseful,solongaswemustpretend.Submarines!Theywell-nighturnmesick."

Helaughed."Theyturnmanysick."

"Sickatheart,"Isaid,"lookingforwhatisnot.Wemightrequest--throughtheproperdiplomaticchannels--thatGermanysendsomeover,oneforeachdistrict."

Helaughedagain."Itwouldrelievethemonotony,andputspiritintoourmen.ImagineFergusiftherewereany.Heisawar-horse."

Andheledtheway,wavingsomeofficeraside,andtookmethroughtheboatandshowedmeeverything.Hehadmadechanges.Ishouldnothaveknownitforthesameboat.Thestaterooms,thathadbeenpalatial,hadbeendivided,butwerelargeintheirnewstate;andnewquartershadbeenprovidedforthecrew,whowouldbetwiceasmanymenashehadevercarried;andshehadbeenstrengthenedforthemountingsoftheguns.Manyotherchangeshadbeenmade,butitwasthesethathelingeredover.Theyhadbeensomemonthsinmakingthechanges,andhehadcarriedasmallarmyofmechanicsaboutwithhim.



Hehadbeenshowingmetheofficers'quartersforthethirdtime,andatlastheturnedaway.

"Iamgiventounderstand,"heobserved,"thatanyrecommendationsImaymakewillreceivedueconsideration.Fergusismadeacommander,buttherearevacancies."

Hemeantme,ofcourse.Thefingerofdestinyalwayspointsatme.Itwasasmuchasanoffer,butIshouldhavebeenashamedtoacceptit.Amanshouldenroll,andthenletthenavydowhattheywillwithhim.Ofcourseheshould;butthatisascribingallwisdomtothemenwhohaveallpower.Theyarebutmen,andhavenotallwisdom;theyarebutmenasweare,andsomeofthemalittleless.

Ismiled."Iamsorry,"Isaid,"thatIknownothingofsteamersandtherunningofthem,orIshouldbetemptedtotryforoneofthevacancies.IdonotsupposeIcouldqualifyforanything;acoal-passer,orevenathird-classquartermasterperhaps,nobetter.AndIshouldnotliketohavefingersofscornpointedatmeasbeingtheadmiral'spetorsomethingofthekind.Itwouldsmackofpoliticsandinfluence."

OldGoodwinlaughed."Itisnotanimproperuseofinfluencetopointoutaman'svirtues,"heanswered,"butquiteproper.Theauthoritiesdo

notknowyou,butIdo,andIconsideryouwellqualified.Theknowledgeofyourdutiesyoucouldpickupsoonenough.Youcouldpasstheexaminationforalieutenant'scommissionintwoweeks.Iwouldnotbeafraidtopromiseit.Youcannavigate,Adam."

Inodded."Iwishitcouldbedone.ButyouforgetthatIamforty-three.Theydon'twantmenofforty-three."

"Itmightbedone,"hesaid."Fergusisforty-four,butmanyyearsamaster.Itmightbedone,butifyoudon'twant--"

Iinterruptedhim."YouforgetEve.Sheisapacifist--asbadasCecily."

Hesmiled."Eveisnotsomuchapacifist--norCecily.IwouldnotworryaboutEve."

Thatwasnewstome--ifhewasright.AndIdidwanttodosomething,ifonlytorestoremyself-respect,thatwaswell-nighgonefromme.ItwasbuttofindthatsomethingthatIcoulddobetterthananother,ifsuchtherewas.

"Iwillthinkaboutit,"Isaid.

"Do,"hereturned,"andsowillI.Itmaybethatthisvesselisnottheplaceforyou.Ishouldlikeitbetteriftherewassomethingthat

wouldkeepyouhereorhereabouts--andsowouldEve.Itshouldbesomethingthatnooneelsecando."

Ilaughedandsaidnothing.Whatwasthereformetosay?Butmylaughhadnomerrimentinit.Itwassimple:IhadbuttofindthatwhichIcoulddoandnooneelse;butstay--itmustbeusefulinthepresentcase.AndIlaughedagainsavagely,andIlookedup,andtherewastheRattlesnakeanchoredbesidetheArcadia.

"Theyarewellintimefortheclambake,"Iremarked,"althoughthey



havediggednoclams."

ForthiswasthedayofOgilvie'sfarewell.HehadwrittenEve,andshehadgotthenotethedaybefore;andalltheafternoonIhadbeenbusywithgettingmysupplies,andintheearlymorningofthisdaywehaddiggedtheclams.Itwasbutaremnantofmycompanythatgatheredthere,onlyOldGoodwinandEveandElizabethandCecilyandme--andCaptainFergus.IalmostforgotCaptainFergus,buthedugfewclams.TheburdenofthedayfelluponOldGoodwinandme.JimmyandBobbyandOgilvieandTomandMrs.FergusandOliviawereabsent.Andnowtherewasnaughttodobuttostartthebake.OldGoodwinandIwentinsilencetothetender,andashore.

"Thinkhard,"saidOldGoodwinasIwasleavinghim."Theremustbesomething."

"Ifonlywecanfindit,"Ireturned."Ihavelittlehope."

Hesmiledhisoldsmileofpeace."Ihavemuch,"hesaid."IcantakeyouovertoNewportonanydayyouwish.Iwillbeovertohelpyouwiththebake."

Ourclambakewasagoodclambake,andtheclamsweregood,beingfresh-diggedandwellbaked,andthelobsterstender,being

small--indeed,Iwasgladthatnoinspectorsfromthepoliceboatweretheretomeasurethem.Ididnotmeasurethem,beingwellenoughcontenttotakethewordofthefishermen.Andthechickensweregoodandallthingselse;buttherewassomethinglacking,somethingwrong,andthatsomethingwasinthespiritsoftheguests.OldGoodwinwascheerful,andElizabethseemedcheerfulenough,andJimmy;butuponthespiritsoftherestofustheresatanincubus.Ogilviesaidbutlittle,andBobbywasrestlessanddiscontented.Hehadhardworktositstilllongenoughtoeat;andthereafterhewanderedtoandfrolikealostsoul,standingattheedgeofthebluffandlookingoutmoodily,thenwanderingovertomygardenandregardingitcritically,thenbacktothepine,takinghisknifefromouthispocketandtappingituponthetable,thenwanderingaimlesslytotheclumpoftrees,thentothebluffagain.

Mygardenisnotonexhibition.Itisnotweedless,asJudson'susedtobe,butisforuse;anditisnottoberegardedcritically.Andthetappingofknivesonthesmoothpineplanksofthetableisnottobecommended.Icameverynearspeakingtohimaboutit,andthenIsawEvewatchingBobbywithananxiouslook,andIcaughtforaninstantaglimpseofElizabeth'seyes.Theyhurtme.Itwasbutforaninstant,thensheveiledthem,andthelightsplayeduponthem.ShewaswatchingBobbytoo.

Sowegotthroughanuncomfortableafternoon,anditcametimeforthemtogo.EvehadJackOgilviebyhimselfattheedgeofthebluff,andtheytalkedearnestly,andhetookherhandandsmiledhispleasant

smile,andtheycamebacktous.Bobbywastappinghisknifeuponthesmoothpineboards.

"Ienvyyou,Jack,"hesaid,heavingatremendoussigh."I'llbetheretoo,ifthereisanyway."HeturnedsuddenlytoOldGoodwin."Can'tyousayawordforme?Whatistheuseofinfluentialrelatives,anyway?"

AndOldGoodwinlaughed."Theyareoflittleuse,Bobby.AndIamsurprisedthatyouarewillingtouseinfluenceinsuchamatter."



Andhelookedatmeandwinked.

"Useinfluence!"Bobbycriedunderhisbreath."I'duseanything--acrowbar,ifthatwouldgetmethere."

Thentheysaidtheirfarewells,andBobbyshookhandswithEveandme,butnotwithElizabeth.Shestoodthere,herhandshangingathersides,andasmileuponherlips,--notinhereyes,--whileBobbyturnedaway.

Butheturnedbackagainasifitwereagainsthiswillandsomegreatforceturnedhim.

"Good-bye,Elizabeth,"hesaidlow,andhehalfheldouthishand.

Shewentforwardquickly."Good-bye,Bobby,"shesaid.

AndBobbygrippedherhandsothatitmusthavehurt,andhelditlongandhard.ThenheflungitfromhimasIhadseenhimdooncebefore,andstrodeawayabruptly,andrandownthesteeppathaftertheothers.Elizabethcamebacktoussmiling--withherlipsandeyesandheart;andEvekissedhersuddenly,andshelaughedandcastdownhereyes,andtheywentintogether.

Istoodupontheedgeofmybluffwhenthesunwaslowinthewest,and

IwatchedthecolorsthattheGreatPainterspreaduponthestillwaters.AndIsawagainthatlittlestripofmarshbelowme,eachgrassstemstandingstraightandmotionlessanddarkinthestillwater,buteachstemwasedgedwithgreenishgold.Littlewavesrippledin--fromsomeboatoutintheharbor--andthegrassstemsrippledgentlywithit,andthebarsofgolduponthewavesandthewavinglinesofgolduponthegrassstemsadvancedwithituntilthewavebrokeuponthestore.Ilookedouttoseewhatboatitwas,anditwasOgilvie's,andhestoodandgazedandwavedtome,andIwavedback,andthenIbethoughtmeofmysignalling.SoIwavedmyarmslikeasemaphoregonemad,andIsenthimamessageinfarewell;andheunderstood,andthankedmeandsentafarewelltoEve.Thenhewasgoneoutintothepearl-grayofthecomingtwilight,andhisgrayboatwaslostinthe

grayofskyandsea.

Ilookeddownatthelittlemarsh.Thegrasswasstillagain,andtwoblackbirdsflewacrossit.Isawtheredshouldersofoneasheguidedhiswavingflight,andthegrassstemsstandingupdarklyabovethebrightwater,asiftheyweresetinglass.Itseemedinfinitelybeautifulandsweet,andinfinitelysad.

Iwaswakenedinthenightbyanoiseoutsideourwindow;alittlenoise,asifsomebodyweretryingnottomakeit.Agreaternoise,onemadeasifbyright,wouldnothaveawakenedme.AndItookastickthatIhave--astraighthickoryhandleforasledgefitsthehandwell,andmakesanadmirableweapon--andIwentout,thinkingofGermanspies.

Therewasnomoon,butIsawhim.Myspywasdoingnothingbutgazingupatthewindow,andIcameuponhimfrombehindandcaughthimbythecollar.Thatcollarwasstiffwithbraid.

Heturnedquicklyandwrenchedhimselffree.

"Whatdoyoumean,Adam,"heasked,"byyourmurderousassaultuponapeacefulrelative?"

ItwasBobby."You'renorelativeofmine,"Isaid."Whatareyoudoing,



anyway?Don'tyouknowthatthewindowyouaregazingatismine--Eve'sandmine?"

"Allthewindowsinthehouseareyours,aren'tthey?"hegrowled."AndI'mnotlookingatanywindow.Butwhycan'tIifIwantto?Answermethat."

Therewasnoanswertothat."Itislucky,"Iobserved,"thatIkeepnodog--adoglikeBurdon's.Ithinkofgettingone."

Bobbylaughedatthat.Burdonhadagreatdog,aviciousbeast,whichamusedhimselfonedaybychasingBurdonintothehencoop,growlingandsnarlingsavagely.HekepthimthereforhoursuntiltherecamealongaboywhohadownedthedoguntilhisfatherdecidedthatthedogwastooviciousandgavehimtoBurdon.Theboyseizedthedogbythecollar,anddraggedhimawayandchainedhim,andtoldBurdonthathecouldcomeout.

"Don'tyoudoit,Adam,"Bobbysaid."Thinkhowyouwouldfeelifyoucameoutandfoundonlymymangledremains.AndIamdoingnoharm--onlywanderingabout."

Sohewasbutwanderingabout.Heshouldhavebeeninbed.Andwestoodthereandtalkedforafewminutes,andBobbywanderedofftomysteep

pathanddowntotheshore,andIheardthesoundofgreatpebblesrolling,andIheardhimwhistlingsoftlysomemournfulair.Iwentinandtobed.Elizabethsleepsintheroomdownthehall,andherwindowsarearoundthecorner.IheardalittlenoisefromherroomasIturnedintomine.

X

Onemorning--itwasthefirstofAugust,themiddleofthathotweek--I

wassittingontheseatundermygreatpine,andEvesatbesideme.IwaswaitingforElizabeth,forthetimehadcomeagainfortheArcadiatobeabouthermysteriousbusinessonthesea,andthistimeIwastogo.ItwaswhatElizabethcalled"transferring"somethingorsomebody.WhatitwasandwhereitwasIwastofindout.IwishedthatEvewasgoing--andPukkie.Isaidasmuch.

"Elizabethhasnotaskedus,"shereplied."IcouldnotgoifIwereasked,forIpromisedtogotomother's.Shehasoneofherbadturns.ButPukkiewouldloveit."

ImurmuredmyregretatMrs.Goodwin'sillness.Herillnessesarenotseriousanddonotlastlong,andthecauseofthemisnotfartoseek.

Sheeatsmostheartilyandtakesnoexercise,andthatpracticeeverbredillness.Iwouldhavehermowingforremedy.

Eveslippedherhandwithinmyarmandclaspedtheotheroverit.

"Adam,"shesaid,givingmyarmagentlesqueeze,"whatisitthatistroublingyou?Somethingdoes.Ithasforalongtime."

NowthatwaswhatIdidnotexpect,thatEveshouldthinkmetroubled,forIthoughtthatIhadbeenmostcareful.ButIshouldhaveknown



better.Evealwaysknows.AndthethingthathadbeentroublingmemorethananyotherwasthatIhadnotthoughtofthatnooneelsecoulddobutI.

Ilookeddownintohereyes,andIsawtheremanythings;butloveandlongingmostofall,thelongingtocomfortmeifshecouldbutlayherfingeronthehurt.

Ismiled."Itisnotsobadasthat,"Isaid.

"Well,kissme,Adam,"shesaid,"andtellme."

Iobeyedorders--orpartofthem.

"Onthedayofthedraft,"Isaid,"Iwasinthevillage,andIsawalltheinhabitantsassembled,andtheyscannedeachbatchofnumbersasthenewscame,butnotathirdofthemknewwhattheirownnumberswere.Somedid,andIsawtwothatweredrafted.Oneofthetwowentoutfromthatassemblywitheyesthatsawnothing,lookingasifhewenttohisexecution.Theotherlaughed,andsaidthatthatsettledit,andhewasglad.Andtellmeifyoucantheanswertomyriddle--whichhasnothingtodowiththeassemblyinthevillage--andsaywhatthereisthatIcando,butnooneelse."

Shelaughed."Isthatthematter?Andmustthethingbeuseful?Iknowseveralthingsthatnooneelsecando,buttheyarenotuseful.Ifitmustbeuseful,--well,--Icannotthinkofitatthismoment,butIhavenodoubtIshall."Sheleanedforward,andtriedtolookintomyeyes;andfailingthat,sheshookme."Whatisthenatureofthisthingthatyoumustdo?Lookatme,andtellme."

Iwasafraidtolookatherlestsheguess,andIwasnotreadytotellher.Imightneverbeready.

"Itisnothing,Eve,"Isaid:"nothingofimportance.Itisnotworthaminute'sworry."Andthatwastruetoo.

"Foistituponsomebodyelsethen,"sheansweredquickly."Therearepersonstodecidethosethings."

Ilookedatherthen."IcannotbelievethatIgetyourmeaning.Youcouldnotknow.Trulytherearepersonstodecidethosethings,butHeavenknowswhethertheyarecompetenttodecideanything.Nodoubttheywouldcheerfullyandlight-heartedlyconsignmeto--whatIshouldnotdo."

Istoppedabruptly.IhadalmosttoldherthatwhichIhaddeterminednottotellher--yet.Ilookedintohereyes,andthereIsawlaughterandjoyandhopeandgreatlove;andIsawthesametenderwistfulnessthatIhadseensomanytimesinthepastweeks.Butjoyandlaughter

conquered.

"IhearElizabethcoming,"shesaid,"andIhopeyoumayreadyourriddle.Nowwemustbemostproper.Areyouproper,Adam?"

AndElizabethcamewhileIwasyetstraighteningmyhair,andgettingitintoacomfortablecondition.Itfeelsmostuncomfortablewhenitisrumpledandeachseparatehairtakingadifferentdirection,likethebrushthatisusedtoblackthestove.Itfeelsasthatbrushlooks.



Elizabethlaughedatmeunfeelingly.AndsheturnedtoEve.ButpeoplealwaysturntoEve."I'mgoingtotakePukkie,Eve,ifyoudon'tmind.CaptainFergusdidnotaskhim,butI'mgoingtotakehimanyway.I'vetoldhim."

AndEvesmiledandsaidnothing,andwestarted,andPukkiecamerunning,hisfaceexpressinghisdelight.Andwhenwewereinthelaunchandstartingfromthelanding,Evewishedmeoncemoretheproperreadingofmyriddle,andshethrewakisstous,andstoodthereuntilwewereaboardtheArcadia;thenwesawherwendinguptheslopetowardthegreathouse.

Thesailswerealreadyhoistedandtheanchorhoveshort.ElizabethandCaptainFergusandPukkieandIweresettledinchairsalongtherail,andthecrewwentabouttheirbusinesssoquicklyandsoquietlythatthefirstIknewofourbeingunderwaywasthegentlecantingofthedeckbeneathmyfeet.Wehadslippedout.

Thewindwasverylight,butitwasmakingrapidly,andtherewasalong,heavingswellfromtheAtlantic--perhapstwohundredfeetfromcresttocrest--whichmadethebigArcadiapitchgentlyandburyherbowtotheeyes.Atlastoneoftheseseas,higherthanmostofthosewhichmadeupthegreatprocession,creptuphigheryetandsloppedoveruponthedeck.Andherbowsrose,andtherewasarushofwateralongthe

deck,andtherecamethenoiseoffallingwaterfromhawsepipesandscuppers.

Pukkielaughedwithdelight,andCaptainFerguslookedup.

"Crackon,"hesaid;andtheysetmoresail.

Presentlytherecameanotherofthosemightyrollers.Shetookitoverherbows,afloodofgreenwater,anditcameroaringaft.Againtherewasthesoundofmanywaters,moremightyyet,ashawsepipesandscuppersspoutedforththeirloads.

CaptainFerguslookedupatthemasts."Crackon,"hesaidagain.Andhe

gotupandwanderedtoandfroacrossthedeck,gazingupatthemastsandatthemensettingthelightsails.

"She'ddobetter,"hesaid,stoppingforaninstantbymychair,"ifIhadn'thadtoputthatconfoundedengineinher.Youwouldn'tbelievewhatadragascrewis,evenwhenitisfeathering."

Shewasdoingwellenough.Allherlightsailswereset,andshewasfurnishedforthwithallherfrillsandfurbelows,sothattherewasnoplacewhereshecouldcarryanotherstitch.Shebenttoherbusinessandsailed.AndCaptainFergussmiledasmileofsatisfaction--inspiteofthatdraggingscrew.

Pukkiehadlefthiscomfortablechair,andwasleaningagainstmyknee,sayingnothing,butlookingbackatmenowandthen,hisfaceastudy.Itwasapleasurejusttowatchhim.CaptainFergusseemedtofinditso,andElizabethhadbeenwatchinghimforsometime.

"Come,youngman,"CaptainFergussaidsuddenly."Don'tyouwanttowalkawhilewithme--topacethedeckwithmeasuredtread,whilewhat-you-may-call-itonthedead?Eh?"

AndPukkiesmiledmorethanever--ifthatwerepossible--andjumpedand



joinedhim;andtheywalked--pacedthedeckwithmeasuredtreadforsometimeinsolemnsilence.CaptainFerguswouldglancealoft,andPukkiewouldglancealoft;andatlastIsmiledandElizabethlaughed.

"Don'tyoufeellikepacingthedeckwithmeasuredtread?"Iasked.

Andshegotupasifshehadbeensittingonaspring,andwepacedthedeckinsolemnsilencebehindthoseothertwo.

CaptainFergusturnedsuddenly."Thisyoungmanoughttohaveauniform,"hesaid."I'vegotonethathecouldwear.Steward!"

Andthesteward,havingcomeinstantlyandreceivedhisinstructions,vanishedbelow,andimmediatelyreappeared,bearinganensign'scoatandcap.Thesewerefitteduponmyson.Theyweretoolarge,buthecouldwearthem.

"But,CaptainFergus,"saidElizabeth,laughing,"theregulations!"

"Jiggertheregulations!"remarkedCaptainFergus,smiling."IpaymightylittleattentiontoregulationswhenI'monmyownvessel.Pukkie'smyfirstofficer."

Mylittlesonbeamedatthis,andturnedtoshowmehisuniform.

"WhenyoucommandthatyachtofMr.Goodwin's,"saidElizabeth,"you'llhavetopaysomeattentiontotheregulations."

"Havetosleepinmyuniform,likeasnot,"CaptainFergusgrowled."Accordingtotheorderwearenottounbuttonabuttonofthecoatonanyoccasion.Ifthatdoesn'tmeansleepinyouruniform,whatdoesitmean?"

"Youcan'thavePukkieforyourfirstofficerthen,"Elizabethpursued."Canyou?"

"Isupposenot.Probablysomeyachtingchapswhohavebeenprominent

sociallyandgottheirpicturesinthepapers.Ihopenot,though.TherearesomegoodmenintheReserve.Ionlyhopetheymaygivememenwhohavehadexperienceinsteamers.Idon'twantanyofthesepetswhohavecommissionsmerelybecausetheyhadinfluence,orbecausetheywererichenoughtogiveaboat."

Isaidnothing.IhadthelightthatIwaslookingfor,althoughitdidnotilluminemyproblem,butwaswhatIhadsupposeditwouldbe.Afterall,ifamandobutusethesensethatGodgavehimandstandbyhisjudgments,hewilldowellenough.IwouldhavenoneofOldGoodwin'ssteamer.WhatwasI,tobeofficeronagreatsteamer?Imightcommandarowboat,orayachtlikePukkie'sifneedwere.

"Youdonothaveaveryhighopinion,"Isaid,"ofthenavy?"

"What?"hesaid."Highopinion?Oh,yes,Ihave.Goodmenandfinevessels,manyofthem.It'sasailor'srighttogrowlattheservicehe'sin.Youmustn'ttakewhathesaystooseriously."

"Wouldyouadviseamantoenrollinthenavy?"

"Dependsontheman.Ifhehasatasteforthesea,he'dbemorecontentedinthenavythaninthearmy,butmanymenhaveastrong



distasteforit.I'dadviseyourmantogetthebestrankhecan,andtohavenomodestyaboutit.Ifhedoesn'tgetitsomeotherfellowwillwhoisnottroubledbymodesty."

AndCaptainFergustookuphispacingthedeckagain,andPukkiewalkedbesidehim,takingaslongastrideashecould.Elizabethwatchedthem,asmileofaffectioninhereyes.

"Isn'thefineinhisuniform?"shewhispered."Buthewouldbehappierifhecouldwearhisoldbluecoatandhisoldbluecap."

Hewasfine,andhelookedthesailorandthefighter.ButIknewthatoldbluecoatandthatoldbluecap,hanginginhiscabin.Thesunhadshonecaressinglyuponthemmanytimes,andseemedtolikethemalmostaswellashelikedthem;andtheyhadchangedtheircolors,aseverythingdoesunderthecaressesofthesun,untiltheywerebluenolonger,butofapurplishcast,shotwithred.

Thewindgrew,aswindswill,untiltwoorthreeintheafternoon,andtheseagrewwithit,butalwaystherewerethosegreatrollerscominginfromtheAtlantic.AndtheArcadiawasdoinghertwelveknots,bowingmajesticallyandbuffetingthegreatseas,tearingthetopsfromthemandsendingsheetsofspray,whichrattleduponherdeckoruponthesurfaceofthewaterlikehail;andthewaterhissedpasttherail,and

therewasthegentlecluckofblocks,deepintheirthroats,withtheheaveofthesea,andtherewasthesoundofwindintheriggingandofropesbeatingontautsails.Altogetheritmadegladmyheart;andElizabethseemedtolikeit,andPukkie'sheartwasswollenalmosttobursting.Andthecaptainpacedtoandfro,sayingnothing,orhestoodbytheraillookingoutoverthewaters,hiscappulleddownlow,anunquenchablelightinhisdeepblueeyesandahappysmileonhislips.

WehadpassedthecoloredcliffsofGayHeadshininginthesun,andwewerepassingNomansland,andthegreatrollersweregreateryet.Therewasfogoutbeyond,lyinginwait.CaptainFergusnoddedtoElizabeth.

"Betterseeifwecanpickthemup,"hesaid.

Sheturnedtogobelow,andstoppedatthecompanionway.

"Look,"shesaid.

Welookedwhereshepointed.There,onthesurfaceofthesea,abouttwomilesaway,wassomegreatthingglisteninginthesun,thewaterwashingoverit.Athickhaze,ortheadvanceguardofthefog,madeithardtoseeanythingclearlyexcepttheglistenofthesun.

"Oh,"criedPukkie,"Iseeit.Isitasubmarine?"Andhelookedupatthecaptain.

"Morelikelyawhale,"thecaptainanswered,smiling;"butwewillsee."

AndthecourseoftheArcadiawaschangedalittlesothatshewasheadingstraightforit.Shekeptonforit,andnowandthenthesunlightcaughtitandmadeittoshinelikethewindowsofahouseatsunset,andagainitwasadarkbodywiththewaterwashingoverit,andwecouldscarcelymakeitout,lyingthereinthesea.Asweapproachedmybreathcamequickerandmyeyesglistened,andIsmiled.Iknowit,forElizabethglancedatmeandlaughed.Itwasamysteriousthing,lyingthereinthatthickhaze.Itseemedasifitmightbeasubmarine,



althoughreasontoldmeitwasnot.

"Whatdoyoumeantodo?"Iasked.

"Ramhim,"answeredthecaptainpromptly,"ifitisasubmarineandwecangetthereintime.Afastsailingvesselisbetter,forhecouldhearourscrew.Butitisnosubmarine.Itlooksmorelikeavessel'sbilge.There!Ha!"

Theglisteningbodymoved,andgreatflukessuddenlyrearedonhigh,andthebodydisappeared.

"Asleepingwhale,"CaptainFergusobserved."Anothersubmarinereportgonewrong."

"Arethereanyoverhere?"

"Notnow,Iamreasonablysure.Don'tbelievetherewillbe,althoughImaybemistaken.Theycanusethemtobetteradvantageontheotherside.Buttheremaybe,intime,unlessGermanyblowsupfirst.Wedon'tknowwhatishappeninginGermany.Theymayblowupatanyminute,andtheymaynot.Shouldn'tbesurprised--andIshouldn'tbesurprisediftheykeptgoingforayearortwolonger.LookattheRussianarmy,justgotwellgoingandtheyhavemutinyandloseitall.Toobad!I'd

liketoseeanycrewofminetryit!"

Elizabethlaughedandwentbelow,andCaptainFergusbeganagainhiswalkingtoandfro.PresentlyElizabethcameupandspoketohim,andthecoursewaschanged,andinanhourwehadsightedasteamermakingforus.

ItwastheRattlesnake;andthetwovesselslayquietonthatrollingseawhileourtenderwentoverwithapackageofpapers,andcamebackwithBobby.AndtheRattlesnaketurnedaboutandwesoonlostherinthehaze,andweturnedaboutandheadedforhome.

Bobbywasnottalkativeonthewayback.Indeed,Bobbyhasnotbeen

himselfforsomeweeks;nottheBobbythatIknewofold.Icannotfixthedateatwhichthechangeoccurred,butitwassomedatethathadtodowithElizabeth.EverydatehastodowithElizabeth,sofarasheisconcerned.Andthoughhespoketoherwhenhecameovertheside--spokegravely,Isupposehethought--itseemedmorelikepetulancetome--hesaidnowordmoretoher,butsatinhischairandgazedmoodilyoutoverthewater.AndElizabethsatinherchair,andshegazedatBobbyunderloweredlids,andshesmiledhersmileofsuppressedamusement.Andpresently,herthoughtsbeingunguarded,sheraisedherlidsalittle,sothatIsawallthelightsoftheseaplayinginhereyes,thatwereyetregardingBobby,andtherecameintothematenderlightthatwasmorethanallthelightonseaandsky.Andsheglancedatme,andshesawthatIhadseen,andsheflushedslowly,andgotupandwent

below.

"Bobby,"Isaid,"areyounotashamedofyourself?"

Hestarted."Ashamedofmyself?"heanswered,lookingatthecompanionwaydownwhichElizabethhaddisappeared."NodoubtIshouldbe.Idothingsenoughtobeashamedof.Butwhy?"

"Youhavenotseemedtonoticethehonorthathasbefallenmyfamily.Mysonismadeensignorlieutenantcommanderorsomething,andyouhave



notremarkedtheevent.Iamafraidthatyouhavehurthisfeelings."

Bobbylaughedasthoughhewasrelieved.

"Soheis--ensignorsomething,asyousay.AndIdidnotobserveit.Iaskhispardon,Adam,andyours."AndhecalledtoPukkie,whowasfollowingCaptainFergusaboutlikeapetdog;andPukkiecame,andBobbyfelicitatedhimuponhispromotion.AndPukkiesmileduntilIfearedlesthisfacecrack.

"Itisatriflelarge,"Bobbyremarked,referringtotheuniform,"buthewillgrowtoit."

"Itisnotsomuchtoolargeasitwas,"Isaid."Youshouldhaveseenhimswell--likeatoad-grunter."

"Daddy,"protestedtheaggrievedPukkie,"I'mnotlikeatoad-grunter."

Thetoad-grunterisamuchdespisedfish.

"No,Puk,"saidBobby,"you'renot.Ithinkyourfathershouldapologize."

"Iapologize,Pukkie,"Isaidhastily,forIwouldnotwoundmyson.

"Youarenot.And,Bobby,can'tyoufindany?Isthatwhyyouareoutofsorts?"

"Findanywhat?"askedBobby,puzzled."Anytoad-grunters?Ihopenot.Whowantstofind'em?Youspeakinriddles,Adam."

"ItwassubmarinesImeant."

Bobbysmiledseraphically."Yourtraps,Adam,arenogood.ButI'mgoingtofindsomesubmarinesprettysoon.Pret--tysoon,youmarkmywords."

"Wordsmarked.Butwhatdoyoumean?"

"WhatIsay.Now,Puk,whatdoyousaytoawalkaboutthedeck?Orwouldyouratherfollowyourcaptain?"

AndBobbystrolledoffwithPukkie.Theywentupforward,wheretheArcadiawasshoulderingasidethegreatseas.Wehadthewindonthequarter,andtherewasnolongerthesoundofspraylikerollingmusketry.AndpresentlyElizabethlookedoutofthecompanionway,andseeingmealone,shecameandsatinthechairnexttomine,andsheputoutherhand.

"Adam,"shesaidwithaprettyflush.

"Elizabeth,"Ianswered,withnoflush,butIwatchedhersflaming.

"Adam,don'tyoutell,"shesaid,lookingshylyatme.Elizabethisnotgiventoshylooks,buttohonestones,eyetoeye."Promisemethatyouwillnevertell.Givemeyourhandonit."

Itookherhand.Itwasaprettyhandandsoftenough,withtaperingfingers,butitwasnotsuchaprettyhandasEve's.

"Elizabeth,"Isaidtoher,"Idonotknowanythingtotell--anythingthatwouldbeofinterest.But--butyoudonotmindifItellEve,do



you?And,"Ifinishedlamelyenough,"Ihopeit--itwill."

Shelaughedandsighed,andgavemyhandasqueeze.

"Thankyou,"shesaid."ButEveknows,Ithink."

CaptainFerguswasstandingbytherail,sniffingthewindandgazingoutatthewaters,andatthelittleswirlsoffoamthatracedby,andatthebankoffogthatchasedusin.Hewashappy.Ialmostenviedhim.Hehaddonehispart,andhewasdoingit.

"Willyouwalk?"IaskedElizabeth.Andwegotupandwalked,sayingnothing.

Theafternoonpassed,andthewinddied.Aswedrewneartothelighthousethatstandslikeasentinelonitsrockjustwithintheentrancetothebay,thesunwasfardowninthewest,thebreezewasbutthegentlestbreath,andthesurfaceofthewatermovedinslow,oilyundulations.IstoodwithElizabethclosebesidetherail,andwegazedatthewaterthatwasredandgold.

Theshadowofthetalllighthousewasthrownhighonthesails,andpassedslowlyaft.Theredsunwassittingonadistanthillbeardedwithcedars.Thelittleoilywavesweresplotchedwithvermilionand

blueandpurpleandgold,andthegolddazzledoureyes.

Notaripplemarkedourpassage.Igazedattheredsun,andhegazedbackatme;andhisreddiscwashalfdownbehindthehill,andIcouldseeitsink.Andthesunsankbehindthehillandhadwinkedhislast,andabroadsmoochofredlayuponthewesternhorizon.Wewatchedtheredfadetoorange,thentosaffronandtogreen,whiletwolittlesaffroncloudswithedgesofflamefloatedhighabove,andthefogcreptinstealthilybelow.AndIheardElizabethsigh,andIlookeddownandshelookedup.

"Ifyoufindthissad,"Isaid,"andasifitweretheendofallthings,turnabout.Thesightwillfillyoursoulwithpeace."

Soweturnedabout.Andtheskytowardtheeastwasofalovelysoft,warmpearl-gray,andthewaterthesamepearl-graywithtintsofroseandofalightbluehereandthere.Thedistancewasveiledinanimpalpablehaze,andwaterandskymergedintoasoftgrayishblurtowardthehorizon,asifsmearedwithadrybrush.Thewater,graywithitsrosetintsanditsblue,seemedtodimplesoftly,likeababysmilingasitsanktosleep.Itsoothedmysoul;itwastheverybreathofpeace.

Iheardanothersighbesideme,andIturned,andtherewasBobby.

"Submarinesinthat!"hesaid,andsmiled.

Webegantoturnslowly,andwerecometoouranchorage,andtherewasOldGoodwin'sgreatsteamernotfaraway,andOldGoodwinhimself,withEve,onhislanding,waitingforus.

Aswewereabouttogoashore,CaptainFergusspoketome.

"Aboutthatmanofyours,"hesaid."TellhimtogotoNewport,andtoputhimselfintheirhandsoverthere.Itisthebestthinghecando."



Therehadbeensomedesultorytalk,andthelightshadbecometoomuchforme,andIhadwanderedoutwithEveintoasortofbalconythathadnolights.Andwesat--closertogetherthanwecouldhavesatifthebalconyhadbeenlighted--andEve'shandcamesearchingforminethatwasalreadysearchingforhers,andweclaspedourfingersclose,andwelookedoutatthewatersofthebaythatsparkleddimly,andatthetaperingbandofmoonlightthatwidenedtoabroadcircleunderthemoon,andattheridinglightsoftheArcadiaandofOldGoodwin'sgreatsteamer,--agreatdarkshape.Foghungabout.Itwouldbeinpresently.

"Tellme,Adam,"saidEvesoftly."WhatdidyouseeatNewport?"

"Tom,"Ianswered."He'sasightinhissailorsuit."

Shelaughed."Ofcourse;butnothingtowhatyouwouldbe.We'reveryfondofTom,aren'twe,andofCecily?Whatelse?"

"Thebeachandthetownandthecliffsandthetrainingstationandthenewbarracksandmanyvesselsatanchor."

"Exasperating!"Andsheshookme."Didn'tyougointotheWarCollege?"

"Wedid.Yourfatherseemstoknowmanythere."

"Adam,"saidEve,"aren'tyougoingtotellme?"

Shebentforwardandlookedupintomyeyes,andIlookeddownintohers.Ikissedher.

"Iwilltellyou,Eve.Neverfear.Whenyoulookatmelikethat,Iwouldtellanything.Itellyoueverythingsoonerorlater."

"Ilikeitsooner."

"Ihavesomefearthatyouwillnotlikeit."

"Ifyouhavedoneit,Adam,Ishalllikeit.IfIdonotlikeit,youwillneverknowit.Tellme.Youdidnotgotoviewthecountry.Iknowthatwellenough."

"Well,"Ibegan,andstopped,somewhattroubled.Scrapsoftalkhaddriftedouttous,nowandthen,fromthatroomwehadleft,andbyturningwecouldgetaglimpseofoneoranother,sittinginthedimyellowlight.

Bobbyhadjustsaidsomething,andthentherefellasuddensilence--absolutesilence.Itwasthesilencethatstoppedme,andIcastbackovermyunconsciousrecollectiontoseeifIknewwhathehadsaid.Andthethingsthathadhappenedinthereinthelastminutetook

gradualshapeinmymind,asthingssometimesdothatareheardwiththeearbutnotconsciouslynoted.OldGoodwinhadaskedBobbysomequestion,Iknownotwhat,andBobbyhadansweredhiminadull,deadsortofvoice.IrecalledthevoicebecauseitwasstrangeforBobbytouseit;buthehaddonemanystrangethings.Whathadhesaidinthatdull,indifferentvoicethatsoundedasifallthathecaredforweredestroyedutterly?Ihadit,andsodidEve.Ithadnottakenahalfaminute.HehadannouncedthathewastogotoEnglandandjoinadestroyer.



Noonehadspokeninthathalf-minute,andIpeekedthroughatElizabeth.Shewassittingasshehadbeenforsometime,thesamehalf-smileuponherlips,herhandsinherlap;butIsawthatherhandswereclaspedtogetherandeverymuscletense.

"Rathersuddennews,Bobby,"saidCecilyatlast."Youdon'tseemasgladasIshouldhavesupposedyouwouldbe."

"Oh,yes,"Bobbyanswered,"I'mgladenough.I'vehadenoughofchasingphantoms.Therearenosubmarinesoverhere.Ihavesomereasontobelievethatitisdifferentoverthere.Thereisnothing,Ithink,"headdedratherbitterly,"tokeepmeoverhere--noreasonwhyIshouldnotbegladtogo."

Againthatsilencefell.IsawElizabeth'shandstwistingslightly,claspedinherlap.

"Whatvesseldoyoujoin?"Cecilyasked."Andwhendoyougo?"

"Idon'tknowthevessel,"hesaid,"andI'msorrythatIamnotpermittedtotellyouwhenIgo.Butitwillbesoon.TherearetroopsgoingtoFrance.IsupposeIshouldnottellthat,butItrusttherearenospieshere."Andhelaughedshortly.

Elizabethhadsaidnothing,normadeanymovement,butshehadsatasmotionlessasastatue--ifonehadnotobservedherhands.Nowsheroseslowly,asifwearywithsittingstill,andshewanderedslowlyfromonethingtoanother,andseemednottofindcomfortinany;andshewascomenearthedoor,andpassedout,andweheardherlightstepgoingslowlyalongthepiazzabehindusanddownsomestepsinthedistance.ThenIturnedback,andIlookedoutatthemoonlightonthequietwater,andatthegreatdarkshapewithitsanchorlightandalightortwomoreshiningthroughsomeportholes,andherdeckswhiteunderthemoon.

IturnedtoEve,forIwouldhavespoken;butshelaidherfingeronmylips,andshepressedmyarm,andwouldnotletmeleanforward.AndI

heardafaintrustling,butveryfaint,andIsawthetopsofagreatclumpofbushesmoveinorder,asifsomecreature--someperson--movedalongbehindthem;andtherewasnotwindenoughtostirthem.Thosebusheswereveryneartous,almostinfrontofus.Andthemovementofthebushesstopped,andeverythingwasstill,andtheveiledmoonshonedown,makinggrayandghostlyeverythingthatitshalf-lightshoneupon,andcastingblackshadows.

Bobbyhadbecomeuneasy,andhehadrisenandwaswanderingslowlyabout,asElizabethhaddone;andatlasthewascometothedoor,andheboltedthroughit,andweheardhislightfootstepsrunningalongthepiazzabehindus.Bobbywasarunnerwhenhewasincollege,andheranwithnonoise.Andhetookthestepsataleap,andIheardafaint

chucklefromOldGoodwin.

Thennothinghappenedforalongtime,andIcouldfeelEvelaughingsilently,andIknewthatBobbywasrampingabouttheplace,lookingforsomebodythathefoundnot.Itwasasbadaschasingsubmarines.Andatlastthebushesmovedagain,andIheardBobby'svoicewhispering,"Elizabeth!Elizabeth!Whereareyou?"Andthebushesnearusshivered,andtherecameagasp,andsomebodystartedtorun,butBobbycaughther.Icouldseenothing,butIcouldimaginehiscatchingherbybothhands,andIcouldhear.Icouldnothelphearing.



"Oh!"shegasped;and"Oh!"again.

Thenheseemedtocatchherclose.

"Elizabeth!"hewhispered."Elizabeth!Igiveup.It'sunconditionalsurrender,Elizabeth.I'vefoughtagainstit,butit'snouse.Idon'tcarewhatyouareifyou'llonlyloveme."

Elizabethwasbetweenlaughterandtears.

"EvenifIamaGermanspy,Bobby?"

"Evenifyou'reaGermanspy,"hewhisperedfiercely."Butyou'renot.Youcouldn'tbe.You'retoohonest--andtrue."

"Honestandtrue,Bobby,"Elizabethwhispered,clingingtohim--Iguessed."Butyoudon'tknowwhatawomancando.IfIwereaGermanspy,Ishouldbedoingjustthis--towormyoursecretsoutofyou."

Therewasasilence.

"Doitagain,"hesaid,"--Germanspy!"

Shediditagain--Iguessed.

"I'monly,"shewhispered,half-cryingonhisshoulder,"practisingwirelessontheArcadia.Youknewthat,Bobby,didn'tyou?"

Evetouchedmyarm,andwebegantowithdrawsoundlessly.

"And,oh,Bobby,"Elizabethwenton,"I'mafraidthatyou--thatyoumaynotcomeback.Thosedestroyersare--butI'mproudofyou,soproud!"

"I'mcomingback,"saidBobby."Trustme,ifIhaveyoutocomebackto.Ialwaysdidhaveluck,andI'vealwayscomeback.Idohaveyou,don'tI?"

"Youseemto,"Elizabethwhisperedmerrily."AndI--"

ThenEveandIwereoutofthatbalconyatlast,andwewentalongthepiazzaassilentlyasmightbe,anddownthesteps.Ibegantosingsoftly,"Thecloudlessskyisnowserene,"andEvelaughedandcheckedme.

"Aren'tyouashamedofyourself,Adam?"

"No,Eve,"Isaid,"butIrejoicemightily."

"AndsodoI,"shesaid,"andthereisbutonethingmoreneededtomake

meveryhappy.Andthatyoushalltellme."

Andwewendedoverthegrassthatwasfleckedwithmoonlight--itwaswettoo,thatgrass--andthroughthegreenerythatwasnomoregreen,butwasofadenseblackness,andcameoutuponthebankabovemyclambeds,wherethesodbreaksofftothesand.AndthereEvesatherdownwherethepebblesonceshoneinthesun,ADAMandEVE.

"Iknowitiswet,"shesaid,"andIdonotcare.Nowdoyoufinishwhatyoubegantotellme--aboutyourself."



Isatbesideher."Itseemstrivialnow.Indeed,itisnogreatmatter,butIameasierinmymindnowthatIhavedoneit.Ihaveenrolledinthenavy.Andthatisall,andsoontold.Andifyoudonotlikeit,Eve,Iamsorry,butIhadtodoit."

Shelaughed,andshegaveagladlittlecry,andherarmswereaboutmyneck.

"ThatiswhatIwantedtohear,Adam."

"ButIthoughtthatyouhadpacifistleanings,Eve."

"Everywomanhassuchleanings,especiallywherethematterconcernsthosesheloves.ButIknowthatyouwillbehappier,andnotashamed,andthatismuchtome;andIcanbeproud.Iamveryhappy,butIamafraidtoo--terriblyafraid.Ipraythatyoumaynotbeledintoanydanger--andifthatiswickedIcannothelpit."

Ikissedthedearlovelyfaceupturnedtomine.

"Andwhatdidtheysay?"shewhispered."Whatwilltheydowithyou?YouareintheReserve,aren'tyou?"

Ilaughed."Ienrolledinthenavyforanydutythattheysawfittoassignmeto.Andtheofficersmiled,andsaidthatIwouldbecalledwhenIwaswanted.Imaybeacoal-passer,Eve,orImaybeamechanictocleanTom'scar,orImaybreathethepureairofheavenasIsailtheragingmain."

Evewrinkledherbrow."ButIdon'tlikethat,Adam.Don'tyouknowwhetheryouwillbeafloatorashore?"

"IwastoldthatIwouldbeofmorevalueashore.AndthatIwassorrytohear,forIhadratherbeafloat,exceptthatweshouldbeparted.AndIwanttoseeaGermansubmarinebeforeIdie.'Theyain'tnosichananimal.'"

AndEvelaughed,andwegotupandwanderedhomeoverthepebblesoftheshore.Fogwasdrivingacrossthefaceofthemoon,sothatitwasnowhidden,nowpartiallyrevealed.Fromabovethefogweheardthemutterofthunder.Evesqueezedmyarm.

"Doyouheartheguns,Adam?"sheasked."Thegodsarewarring."

"Nevergiveitathought,Eve,"Isaid."Whataretheirwarstous?"

"Well,"saidEve,sighing,"butIhopeitwillbeashore."

Andweclimbedthesteeppath,andwentintoourcandles,towaitfor

Elizabeth.Elizabethwasliketobelongincoming.

THEEND

TheRiversidePress

CAMBRIDGE.MASSACHUSETTS

U.S.A



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