Part 38 (2/2)
”I am a fool,” I said. ”G.o.d never before sent any man such a comrade as He has sent in you to me.”
”That was said sweetly and loyally. Thank you. If hearts are to be awakened and won, I think it might be done that way--with such pleasant phrases--given always time.”
Presently she withdrew her hands and slipped away from me in the dark.
”Be careful,” said I, ”or you will slip overboard.”
”I mean to presently.”
”Then--must I go so soon?”
She did not answer. Once I thought I heard her moving softly, but the sound came from the wrong direction.
”Lois!”
No reply.
”Lois!” I repeated uneasily.
There was a ripple in the pool, silence, then somewhere in the darkness a faint splash.
”Good Lord!” said I. ”Have you fallen in?”
”Not fallen in. But I am truly in, Euan. I couldn't endure it any longer; and you didn't seem to want to go.... So please remain where you now are.”
”Do you mean to say----” I began incredulously.
And, ”Yes, I do!” she said, defiant. ”And I think this ought to teach you what a comrade's perfect confidence can be. Never complain to me of my want of trust in you again.”
In astonished and uneasy silence, I stood listening. The unseen pool rippled in the darkness with a silvery sound, as though a great fish were swirling there in the pallid l.u.s.tre of the stars.
After a while she laughed outright--the light, mischievous laughter of a child.
”I feel like one of those smooth and lurking naiads which haunt lost pools--or like some ambushed water-sprite meditating malice, and slyly alert to do you a harm. Have a care, else I transform you into a fish and chase you under the water, and pinch and torment you!”
And presently her voice came again from the more distant darkness somewhere:
”Has the box which you commanded arrived yet, Euan?”
”It is at my hut. A wagon will bring it to you in the morning.”
I could hear her clap her wet little hands; and she cried out softly:
”Oh!” and ”Oh!” Then she said: ”I did not understand at first how much I wished for everything you offered. Only when I saw the ladies at Croghan's house, as I was coming with my mending from the fort--then I knew I wanted everything you have bespoken for me.... Everything, dear lad! Oh, you don't know how truly grateful I shall be. No, you don't, Euan! And if the box is really come, when am I going with you to be made known to Mistress Bleecker?”
”I think it is better that I first bring her to you.”
”Would she condescend to come?”
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