第61章

"Oh, did he bite you?" begged Miss Fosdick.

"No...no, I guess not," was the reply."I--I scarcely know yet....Why, when did you come? I didn't know you were in town.""We came yesterday.Motored from home, you know.I--be still, Goo, you bad thing! It was such a lovely day that I couldn't resist going for a walk along the beach.I took Googoo because he does love it so, and--Goo, be still, I tell you! I am sure he thinks you are a tramp, out here all alone in the--in the wilderness.And what were you doing here?"Albert drew a long breath."I was half asleep, I guess," he said, "when he broke loose at my heels.I woke up quick enough then, as you may imagine.And so you are here for the summer? Your new house isn't finished, is it?""No, not quite.Mother and Goo and I are at the hotel for a month.

But you haven't answered my question.What were you doing off here all alone? Have you been for a walk, too?""Not exactly.I--well, I come here pretty often.It is one of my favorite hiding places.You see, I...don't laugh if I tell you, will you?""Of course not.Go on; this is very mysterious and interesting.""Well, I come here sometimes on pleasant days, to be alone--and write.""Write? Write poetry, do you mean?"

"Yes."

"Oh, how wonderful! Were you writing when I--when Goo interrupted you?""No; I had made two or three attempts, but nothing that I did satisfied me.I had just about decided to tear them up and to give up trying for this afternoon.""Oh, I hope you won't tear them up.I'm sure they shouldn't be.

Perhaps you were not in a proper mood to judge, yourself.""Perhaps not.Perhaps they might look a little less hopeless to some one else.But that person would have to be really interested, and there are few people in South Harniss who know or care anything about poetry.""I suppose that is true.I--I don't suppose you would care to show them to me, would you?""Why," eagerly, "would you really care to see them?""Indeed I should! Not that my judgment or advice is worth anything, of course.But I am very, very fond of poetry, and to see how a real poet wrote would be wonderful.And if I could help you, even the least little bit, it would be such an honor."This sort of thing was balm to the Speranza spirit.Albert's temperamental ego expanded under it like a rosebud under a summer sun.Yet there was a faint shadow of doubt--she might be making fun of him.He looked at her intently and she seemed to read his thoughts, for she said:

"Oh, I mean it! Please believe I do.I haven't spoken that way when Jane was with me, for she wouldn't understand and would laugh, but I mean it, Mr.Speranza.It would be an honor--a great honor."So the still protesting and rebellious Googoo was compelled to go a few feet away and lie down, while his mistress and the young man whom he had attempted to devour bent their heads together over a scribbling-pad and talked and exclaimed during the whole of that hour and a full three-quarters of the next.Then the distant town clock in the steeple of the Congregational church boomed five times and Miss Fosdick rose to her feet.

"Oh," she said, "it can't really be five o'clock, can it? But it is! What WILL mother fancy has become of me? I must go this minute.Thank you, Mr.Speranza.I have enjoyed this so much.

It has been a wonderful experience."

Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes were shining.She had grown handsomer than ever during the winter months.Albert's eyes were shining also as he impulsively seized her hand.

"Thank you, Miss Fosdick," he said."You have helped me more than I can tell you.I was about to give up in despair before you came, and now--now I KNOW I shall write the best thing I have ever done.

And you will be responsible for it."

She caught her breath."Oh, not really!" she exclaimed."You don't mean it, really?""Indeed I do! If I might have your help and sympathy once in awhile, I believe--I believe I could do almost anything.Will you help me again some day? I shall be here almost every pleasant Saturday and Sunday afternoon.Will you come again?"She hesitated."I--I'll see; perhaps," she answered hurriedly.

"But I must go now.Come, Goo."

She hastened away, down the knoll and along the beach toward the hotel.Googoo followed her, turning occasionally to cast diabolical glances at the Speranza ankles.Albert gazed until the graceful figure in the trim sport costume disappeared behind the corner of the point of the beach.Just at the point she paused to wave to him.He waved in return.Then he tramped homeward.There was deep sand beneath his feet and, later, pine-needles and grass.

They were all alike to him, for he was traveling on air.

That evening at supper his radiant appearance caused comment.

"What makes you look so happy, Albert?" asked his grandmother.

"Seems to me I never saw you look so sort of--well, glorified, as you might say.What is the reason?"The glorified one reddened and was confused.He stammered that he did not know, he was not aware of any particular reason.

Mrs.Ellis beamed upon him."I presume likely his bookkeepin' at the office has been goin' pretty well lately," she suggested.

Captain Zelote's gray eyes twinkled."Cal'late he's been makin' up more poetry about girls," was his offering."Another one of those pieces about teeth like pearls and hair all curls, or somethin'