"
"And so I worship you," the young man went on in a low happy voice.
"Do please be quiet! I won't be worshipped."
"I don't see how you are going to help it," he said calmly. "Mrs.
Richie, I've got my skiff; it came yesterday. Will you go out on the
river with me some afternoon?"
"Oh, I don't think I care about boating," she said.
"You don't!" he exclaimed blankly; "why, I only got it because I
thought you would go out with me!"
"I don't like the water," she said firmly.
Sam was silent; then he sighed. "I wish I'd asked you before I bought
it. Father is so unreasonable."
She looked puzzled, for the connection was not obvious.
"Father always wants things used," Sam explained. "Do you really
dislike boating?"
"You absurd boy!" she said laughing; "of course you will use it; don't
talk nonsense!"
Sam looked into the fire. "Do you ever have the feeling," he said in
an empty voice, "that nothing is worth while? I mean, if you are
disappointed in anything? A feeling as if you didn't care, at all,
about anything? I have it often. A sort of loss of appetite in my
mind. Do you know it?"
"Do I know it?" she said, and laughed so harshly that the boy drew
back. "Yes, Sam; I know it."
Sam sighed; "I hate that skiff."
And at that she laughed again, but this time with pure gayety. "Oh,
you foolish boy!" she said. Then she glanced at the clock. "Sam, I
have some letters to write to-night--will you think I am very
ungracious if I ask you to excuse me?" Sam was instantly apologetic.
Pages:
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86